2026 WCQ: Insurance keeper in for Okoye, some Eagles already in Uyo, why Ekong was snubbed
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to take on Zimbabwe and Lesotho later this month, but Maduka Okoye will not be part of the games
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has invited Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie after Udinese goalie Maduka Okoye pulled out of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
Super Eagles' official X handle has revealed that Okoye has pulled out of the fixture. And in his place, Bendel Insurance shot-stopper Obasogie has been invited.
This is a big blow for the team as they are already without Adebayo Adeleye. As it stands, Francis Uzoho is the only experienced goalkeeper in camp.
Obasogie has been involved in seven games for Bendel Insurance this season, and he has kept six clean sheets, conceding just one goal.
Meanwhile, six of the twenty-three players invited to the national team for the November internationals landed in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo on Monday.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and his pal Kelechi Iheanacho were on the same flight that arrived in Uyo on Monday evening, and joining the duo in camp is Enyimba star Olorunleke Ojo.
Completing the players in camp ahead of the team's first training session on grass on Tuesday are Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, and Sadiq Umar.
Ahead of Tuesday's more intense training session, the early arrivals Omeruo, Collins and Umar all worked out in the gym on Monday under the supervision of a Super Eagles fitness staff.
Seventeen are still being expected, they may arrive on Tuesday
They are Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina and Frank Onyeka have yet to show up in camp, together with Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo, Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface
Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika and Terem Moffi are also being awaited.
Head coach Jose Peseiro, accompanied by his foreign assistants Maykel Moreira, Acacio Santos, and Vitor Hugo, touched down in Uyo on Sunday afternoon.
However, Boavista defender Bruno Onyemaechi’s availability for the games is in doubt after he picked up a knock during his side’s 3-1 defeat at home to Farense on Sunday.
Super Eagles coach, Peseiro has opted to leave team vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong out of his squad for the November International break.
Troost-Ekong was last invited to the Super Eagles squad by coach Peseiro in September for the AFCON qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe.
According to Sports Ration, there was a rift between Peseiro and Williams Troost-Ekong after the 6-0 win against Sao Tome and Principe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Ekong is said to have confronted Peseiro with questions regarding substitutions in the match. The defender was not comfortable with the decision to send on right-back Tyrone Ebuehi instead of a first cap for Gent’s Jordan Torunarigha.
The 30-year-old was seen signaling to the bench while warming up behind the post for the then-uncapped duo Raphael Onyedika and Jordan Torunarigha to get their International debut.
The coach opted to send Tyrone Ebuehi on and then handed Raphael Onyedika a debut in Uyo, with Torunarigha making his debut the following month.
Additionally, Peseiro is said to be critical of Ekong’s inability to adapt to his system. The Portuguese prefers his central defenders to play out from the back and aid the team in the build-up.
Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi are Peseiro’s preferred choice to partner at the back, meaning as long as the Portuguese is in charge of the Super Eagles, Ekong might not get a chance to play.
