Peter Rufai urges Nigeria’s most expensive goalkeeper to ‘look elsewhere’ for first-team opportunities

The Nigerian worldwide was among the best shot-stoppers within the Eredivisie earlier than he crossed over to England in the summertime

Legendary Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Rufai has charged Tremendous Eagles goalie Maduka Okoye to go away Watford and transfer to a different membership the place he could be assured first-team alternatives.

Okoye solely joined Watford completely in the summertime after initially signing for the Hornets in January 2022. That deal believed to be value €5 million, made the teenager the costliest Nigerian goalkeeper in historical past.

However issues haven’t gone as deliberate for Okoye in England with the 23-year-old condemned to being second selection on the Vicarage Highway.

The ex-Fortuna Dusseldorf lad has not performed for Watford within the Championship and has made solely two appearances in cup competitions for the Golden Boys.

He was in objective on Saturday in his first exhibiting within the FA Cup as Watford misplaced 0-2 at Studying to crash out of the world’s oldest membership competitors.

What has been mentioned? 

Okoye has beforehand hinted that he might think about a return to the Eredivisie in January.

And 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner Peter Rufai has backed that call, insisting that enjoying often is assured to make him a greater shot-stopper.

“Okoye is a high quality goalkeeper and I do know if he’s given the prospect he will certainly show his value,” Rufai instructed CompleteSports.

“Nevertheless, it’s unlucky that he has been thought-about for the bench regardless of his sensible type for Dutch facet Sparta Rotterdam.

“Sure, there’s nothing unhealthy if he decides to attend for his probability, however then will probably be good for him to look elsewhere the place he could be enjoying often.”

In two years at Sparta, Okoye performed in 61 video games, conceded 78 targets, and saved a clear sheet in 18 matches. He has conceded 4 targets in two video games at Watford, although.