Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye joined his teammates late Wednesday night in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.
Okoye’s arrival means the new coach, Finidi George, now has the full complement of his 23-man squad for the important matches against South Africa on Friday and Benin Republic on Monday.
Okoye was among eight players stranded in Lagos and Abuja on Monday due to the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, which halted flight operations across the country.
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The strike disrupted the general planning for the matches, forcing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to arrange chartered flights to bring the stranded players to Uyo.
While the other players arrived in Uyo on Tuesday, Okoye’s arrival was delayed, with the federation not providing reasons for his hold-up in Abuja.
Confirming Okoye’s arrival, Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe stated on the team’s WhatsApp platform, “Update: Maduka Okoye has arrived at the Eagles nest. All 23 players in camp.”
The NFF also reported that most match officials were booked on flights out of Abuja on Wednesday, with only referee assessor Ahmed Sayed Abou Elela from Egypt expected to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday.
Nigeria has managed only two points from their opening two games in Group C and must win both upcoming matches to have a chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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