CAN 2021 mistake still hurts – Okoye

Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has reflected on his CAN 2021 mistake, which led to the elimination of the Super Eagles from the tournament in Cameroon, admitting that he could have done better, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

More than two years after Tunisia beat Nigeria 1-0 in the round of 16 of the AFCON in Cameroon, the goalkeeper was absent from the national team until he was recalled by coach Finidi George for the two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Although the 24-year-old was not handed the jersey to compete with new fan favourite Stanley Nwabali in both games, Okoye appears once again at peace with the feeling of being back in the national team.

“Not only when I look back, even at the time I knew I had to do better and it hurts me today to be honest,” Okoye said via Oma Sports TV.

“It was hard for me when I was young to go through that and I’m not just talking about what I heard or read on social media, it’s the feeling of letting down your teammates, your family and your country. »

Since rekindling his career with consistent performances for Udinese in Serie A, Okoye has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and he will be hoping to continue his steady improvement.

“It was a mistake, and we talked about Inter Milan and if I want to be at Inter Milan I have to do better in situations like this. And that’s what I’ve done in recent years, I’ve improved, I’ve trained hard, I don’t want something like this to happen again.

He has kept four clean sheets in 20 Serie A appearances this season, winning a pair of Man of the Match and Udinese Player of the Month awards.

All rights reserved. This material and other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without the express prior written permission of PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]