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FIFA Approves Arthur Okonkwo’s Switch to Nigeria, Boosting Super Eagles Goalkeeping Options

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FIFA Approves Arthur Okonkwo’s Switch to Nigeria, Boosting Super Eagles Goalkeeping Options

FIFA has officially approved the nationality switch of Arthur Okonkwo, clearing the 24-year-old goalkeeper to represent Nigeria at international level.

The decision makes Okonkwo fully eligible for selection by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, opening the door to a potential call-up as Nigeria continues to reinforce its squad across all departments.

Okonkwo, who currently plays for Wrexham in the English Championship, has been a central figure in the club’s remarkable ascent in recent seasons. The former Arsenal academy goalkeeper played a key role in Wrexham’s back-to-back promotions, establishing himself as a reliable last line of defence with a series of decisive performances.

Standing out for his commanding presence, sharp reflexes and calmness under pressure, Okonkwo has consistently impressed with his shot-stopping ability and leadership at the back. His performances have earned plaudits in England and now place him firmly on the radar of the Nigerian national team.

His inclusion significantly strengthens Nigeria’s goalkeeping pool, adding depth and competition as the Super Eagles plan for upcoming international commitments. With AFCON and World Cup qualification campaigns demanding consistency and quality, Okonkwo’s availability represents a timely boost.

The FIFA approval marks a positive step in Nigeria’s squad evolution and underlines the growing appeal of the Super Eagles to top talents in the diaspora. All eyes will now be on Eric Chelle’s next squad list to see if Okonkwo earns his first senior call-up.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.