Maduka Okoye Injured, Out of Nigeria, Jordan Friendly in Turkey
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Udinese safe hands, Maduka Okoye, has suffered a thigh knock in training and will not be part of Super Eagles friendly against Jordan today in Antalya, Turkey.
Okoye who is just warming his way back to Eagles handlers after skipping the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, was in goal when Nigeria defeated Iran 2-1 on Friday at the same venue.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe confirmed Okoye’s absence on Monday afternoon.
In Okoye’s absence, Francis Uzoho will reclaim the number 1 jersey against the Jordanians this evening.
Also going to be missed this evening is the duo of defenders Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi (whose wife was delivered of a baby).
Goals by Moses Simon, early in the first half, and Akor Adams, early in the second period, lifted the Eagles above Iran’s Team Melli at the Corendon Airlines Park on Friday evening.
Despite Okoye’s absence, Head Coach, Eric Chelle, remains confident the Super Eagles will pluck another win when they confront their Jordanian counterparts.
Chelle is looking ahead to win with the 21 players available to take on the emerging Asian power. The Franco-Malian and his assistants again drilled the players in a training session on Monday evening.
FIFA World Cup-bound Jordan are no longer the paperweights they used to be considered as, with the squad having evolved greatly, and despite sitting at 64th in the current FIFA ranking, have lost only one of their last five matches.
That loss was a narrow 2-3 reverse to 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco.
On the other hand, Al-Nashama as they are known by their fans, have beaten Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt, and drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in a pulsating encounter on Friday.
Chelle must find a new partner for Czech-based central defender Igoh Ogbu, while Portugal-based Zaidu Sanusi is likely to take the place of Onyemaechi. Bright Osayi-Samuel will remain at right back. Calvin Bassey has been sidelined by back injury on duty for club in England.
Alex Iwobi, set to win his 98th cap as he marches quietly but sure footedly towards the century mark, will work the middle with captain Wilfred Ndidi and any of Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika.
Paris FC of France’s Moses Simon, who is in line for his 97th cap, may once more be at the fore with two of Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Ademola Lookman. Paul Onuachu, Chidera Ejuke and newbies Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor are also available.
The Super Eagles remain unbeaten in regulation time in their past five matches, including a penalty shootout defeat of Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations’ third-place match, and wins over Algeria, Mozambique and Iran.
Nigeria and Jordan have met only twice previously at senior international level, with honours shared. Goals by Emeka Akueme and Chukwudi Nworgu earned Nigeria a 2-0 in a LG Cup opener in Lagos in April 2004, while Hatem Aqel scored from the penalty spot to give Jordan a 1-0 win in a friendly in Amman in October 2013.
