Sunday Oliseh Speaks Out on Maduka Okoye’s AFCON Snub, Slams Harsh Treatment of Goalkeeper

Former Super Eagles midfielder and head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has weighed in on the controversial exclusion of Maduka Okoye from Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Okoye, who plays his club football with Italian Serie A side Udinese, was initially named in head coach Éric Chelle’s expanded 54-man provisional list but failed to make the final cut for the tournament in Morocco.

Reacting to the decision, Oliseh pointed to the intense criticism Okoye faced after his last appearance for the Super Eagles, suggesting it may have played a role in the goalkeeper’s omission.

“The last game he played for Nigeria, I remember this boy being torn into bits online, on television, everywhere,” Oliseh said on his podcast.
“He was so much destroyed that I remember looking at it and saying, if this boy were my son, I would tell him now, go and stop playing. Just go and make your life again. Forget it.”

Opinion: A Sobering Reflection on Pressure and Protection

Oliseh’s comments shine a light on a deeper issue within Nigerian football — the brutal pressure placed on players, especially goalkeepers, whose mistakes are often magnified beyond proportion. Okoye’s struggles in national colours have been well documented, but the scale of the backlash appears to have crossed from criticism into outright condemnation.

While coaches are fully within their rights to select players based on form and confidence, it raises an important question: are Nigerian players given enough psychological support after setbacks? At just 24, Okoye still has years ahead of him, and writing off a talent so early could prove costly in the long run.

Excluding him from the AFCON squad might offer temporary relief and a chance to rebuild away from the spotlight. However, it also reflects how unforgiving the Super Eagles environment can be. If Nigeria truly wants long-term success, protecting young players from destructive criticism must become as important as tactical discipline on the pitch.

For now, Okoye’s AFCON dream is on hold, but with the right support and patience, his Super Eagles story may be far from over.