Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh has publicly defended goalkeeper Maduka Okoye's controversial decision to turn down a call-up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, arguing that the unique demands of his position make the choice understandable.
The Goalkeeper's Unique Dilemma
Okoye was named in the provisional squad for the tournament in Morocco but was a notable omission from the final 28-man list submitted by the Nigerian Football Federation. Coach Eric Chelle ultimately selected Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, and Amas Obasogie as his three goalkeepers for the competition.
Speaking on his Global Football Show, Oliseh, a former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund midfielder, stressed that goalkeepers require fundamentally different management compared to outfield players. He explained that a goalkeeper needs clarity on playing time well in advance, as being benched during a major tournament can severely damage confidence and club form.
"The goalkeeper, they are a different race. The goalkeeper is a totally different species," Oliseh stated emphatically.
Rebuilding a Career Under Scrutiny
Oliseh pointed to the intense public scrutiny Okoye has faced in the past as a key factor. He recalled the vicious online and media criticism the goalkeeper endured after his last appearance for the national team.
"The last game he played for Nigeria, I remember this boy being torn into bits online, on television, everywhere. He was so much destroyed that I remember looking at it and saying, if this boy were my son, I will tell him now, go and stop playing," Oliseh revealed.
Now, with Okoye successfully rebuilding his career and performing well as the first-choice goalkeeper for Italian Serie A side Udinese, Oliseh argued that attending AFCON without a guaranteed starting role was too great a risk. Losing his place at Udinese during the crucial mid-season period could have undone all his recent progress.
A Call for Understanding from Fans
Oliseh directly addressed accusations of a lack of patriotism, urging Nigerian fans to appreciate the professional realities facing players. He defended Okoye's right to prioritize his club career, especially given the specific hierarchy and training focus reserved for a clear number-one goalkeeper.
"If truly, he said, 'I'm not coming,' I can understand it. Now I know people will say, 'Yeah, but it's unpatriotic,' but let's not exaggerate," Oliseh pleaded.
He reminded the public that players are not slaves to the national team and that such professional considerations are a normal part of modern football. This view is supported by UK-based Nigerian journalist Samuel Omaenikun, who stated that Okoye deserves respect for choosing to protect his hard-earned club spot rather than potentially warm the bench in Morocco.
The decision followed a reported plea from Okoye himself to the NFF, asking to be excluded to focus on his club duties. Despite the controversy, his form at Udinese remains strong, exemplified by a clean sheet in a recent 1-0 victory over Napoli.
