AFCON 2025: Sunday Oliseh explains Maduka Okoye’s omission from Super Eagles squad

Former Nigeria midfielder and ex-Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has offered insight into the absence of Maduka Okoye from Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Okoye, who currently plays for Udinese in Serie A, was included in Nigeria’s provisional 54-man list but failed to make the final selection, sparking debate among fans and analysts.

According to Oliseh, the decision was heavily influenced by the intense criticism the goalkeeper faced after his most recent national team outing.

Speaking on his podcast, Oliseh did not mince words as he described the scale of the backlash directed at the young shot-stopper.

“The last game he played for Nigeria, I remember this boy being torn into bits online, on television, everywhere,” Oliseh said.

The former Ajax midfielder suggested that the reaction went beyond normal football criticism and became personally damaging.

Oliseh revealed that the severity of the attacks left a lasting impression on him, to the point where he questioned whether continuing international football was worth the emotional toll.

“He was so destroyed that I remember looking at it and saying, ‘If this boy were my son, I would tell him to stop playing. Just make your life again. Forget it,’” he added.