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Alloy Agu Backs Maduka Okoye to Start at AFCON 2025 if Nwabali Fails Fitness Test
Former Nigeria goalkeeper coach
Alloy Agu has thrown his support behind Maduka Okoye as Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, should Stanley Nwabali fail to recover in time from injury.
Speaking exclusively to Footy-Africa, Agu — who served the national team for several years and won the AFCON title as a player in 1994 — expressed confidence in Okoye’s ability to step up if required.
“I hope all is not lost, but we need to pray for Stanley to recover and participate with his colleagues,” Agu said.
“However, we have other good goalkeepers in the team, including Maduka Okoye. All we need to do is trust them and give them confidence. I’m sure the goalkeepers know what they have to do when they get the opportunity to play.”
Agu also addressed the recent surprise retirement of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, praising the centre-back’s service and character while urging respect for his decision.
“Ekong has done so well for Nigeria. He’s humble and disciplined. He has made his decision, and it should be respected. Now that he has passed the baton, I hope the coaches pick the right person to lead the team. I believe there are many players who can do the job.”
With Nigeria heading to AFCON 2025 after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and set to miss several key players, expectations have dipped among fans and pundits.
But Agu insists the Super Eagles traditionally thrive when the odds appear stacked against them.
“When it comes to football, you have to be optimistic. Going to the AFCON, the Super Eagles must remove all negativity and believe in themselves and in God. You can’t write off the Super Eagles. Remember 2013 — no one gave them a chance, yet they won the trophy.”
He stressed that the real question is whether the team is willing to play to its full potential.
Meanwhile, Nwabali’s participation at AFCON remains doubtful after Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi confirmed the goalkeeper is battling ankle and hand injuries, both aggravated during Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying defeat to DR Congo in Rabat.
“I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury,” Vilakazi told supersport.com.
“He was confident he would recover very soon, but we will see.”
Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to name his final squad soon, with Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Francis Uzoho, and teenage prospect Ebenezer Harcourt all in contention.
Nigeria, placed in Group C, will open their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on 23 December in Fes, before facing Tunisia and Uganda in their remaining group fixtures.
