By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has expressed his disappointment over Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, insisting the team deserved to win the tournament despite falling short.
Reflecting on the competition, which he followed from home after missing out on selection, Okoye said he experienced the highs and lows alongside millions of Nigerian fans.
“I was watching from home as a supporter, like all the other 200–300 million Nigerians. We deserved to win the Cup,” he said in an interview with SportyTV.
Okoye, who was not part of Nigeria’s final squad for the tournament, revealed how difficult it was to watch the Super Eagles’ journey from a distance, especially given the team’s strong performances.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper has remained a regular figure for club side Udinese, but his absence from the national team during AFCON sparked conversations among fans and pundits.
Despite the disappointment, Okoye struck a hopeful tone, backing the team to return stronger in the next edition of the competition.
“But next year is already the next opportunity for us, and we will do everything to bring it home again,” he added. (
Nigeria’s AFCON outing ultimately ended short of expectations, despite flashes of brilliance during the tournament.
Okoye’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within the Super Eagles camp—a belief that the team has the quality to win major honours, coupled with determination to make amends in future competitions.
As attention turns to upcoming fixtures and the next AFCON cycle, the goalkeeper’s message underscores a renewed sense of purpose: unfinished business for Nigeria on the continental stage.