Worrying time for Nigeria and the technical crew of the Super Eagles ahead of the Cameroon 2021 African Cup of Nations which begins in January after first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye hobbled off the pitch clutching his shoulder in Sparta Rotterdam narrow home defeat to Ajax yesterday.
The 21-year-old was replaced in the 24th minute of the game by Benjamin van Leer after a suspected shoulder injury following a collision with Ajax forward, Danilo.
The club confirmed on their Twitter handle: “Sparta are forced to make a first change due to injury to Okoye.”
Nigerians will be worried about the development especially with Victor Osimhen’s recent injury layoff and the inactivity of defender Leon Balogun who is also down with an undisclosed ailment.
Okoye who has been brilliant for Sparta Rotterdam since joining in the summer of 2020 was voted club’s player of the season, he had also earned himself a move to English premier league side, Watford FC.
The Eagles number one goalie has kept all Sparta Rotterdam’s 14 league games in the Dutch Eredivisie before the injury he copped yesterday.
