Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been ruled out of Nigeria’s international friendly against Jordan after suffering a thigh knock in training. Team media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed the setback on Monday, March 30, saying the Udinese goalkeeper picked up the injury during preparations for the match.
Okoye had started Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Iran in the opening game of the four-nation invitational tournament, but he will not be available for the Jordan fixture in Antalya on Tuesday, March 31. The match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nigerian time.
Chelle now has a choice to make
With Okoye unavailable, head coach Éric Chelle is left to choose between Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye in goal. Nigeria’s goalkeeping options have narrowed down ahead of the game, with Stanley Nwabali not in the squad for this window.
Nigeria are no longer just dealing with one absence. They are now managing a selection problem in a key position less than a day before kickoff.
Camp absences add to the pressure
Okoye’s withdrawal is part of a wider disruption in camp. Semi Ajayi is also out with a knock, while Bruno Onyemaechi has left the squad after the birth of his first child, according to current reports on Monday and Tuesday.
That leaves Chelle adjusting more than one part of his team as Nigeria try to finish the international break with another positive result. The fixture offers another chance for newer faces in camp to continue integrating into the squad, but the absences will test the group’s depth.
Why this matters
Okoye’s injury matters because it interrupts a return to the national team that had only just restarted. The 26-year-old was back in the Super Eagles setup after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and he had already featured against Iran.
Now the Jordan game becomes a small but useful decision point for Chelle. Whether he turns to Uzoho or Adeleye, the bigger issue is how stable Nigeria can look with late changes in goal and across the back line. That is an inference drawn from the confirmed absences and the likely reshuffle reported ahead of the match.
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