‘I’m a bit sick’ – Maduka Okoye craves Dutch return after frustrating Watford spell

By Wale Mustapha

Nigeria and Watford goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has admitted to a difficult life in the English Championship as he has seen game times hard to come by.

Okoye who was a cult hero with Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch league left for Watford two seasons ago for a club record deal of seven million Euros.

However, the young Nigerian goalie has being more of a reserve galloper than an active starter, no thanks to injuries as well.

In the wake of his forgettable spell, Okoye, who recounts his challenging moments in England is still optimistic about the future as he refuses to rule out a return to Dutch football where he is well known and celebrated.

“I’m a bit sick (about playing times) but I’m doing well. The competition has started again, so it’s nice that we have matches again,” Okoye began.

“I made the step to England with my full mind. I was told that I had to compete with the other keepers for a place under the crossbar.

“Sports-wise it hasn’t worked out as I had hoped, but we’re sticking to the plan, it’s certainly not easy. It’s quite tough, I have to tell you very honestly. At Sparta I played every week and now I’m on the couch, that was something I had to get used to.

“I just keep working hard and want to show myself. We hope to be promoted with Watford to the Premier League. It’s going to be difficult, but we keep believing in it.”

The winter transfer window will open on Sunday, an opportunity for Okoye to request for a move away from Craven Cottage but the keeper whose contract runs till 2027 would desire a move to the Dutch league.

“We’ll see what happens, my contract runs until 2027, so anything is possible. Maybe I will be rented out, or not, I don’t know yet,” he continued.

“The Eredivisie? Yes, that sounds like something to me “The clubs in the Netherlands know me well from Sparta and know what they can do with me. We’ll see. For now I’m just focusing completely on Watford and the games we’re going to play.”