The invitation of Fortuna Dusseldorf II goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to the senior national team of Nigeria has brought heavy criticism on coach of the team Gernot Rohr.
Rohr named the 19 year old in his squad for the upcoming friendly game against Ukraine next month despite the fact that he plays for the second team of the Bundesliga side, who are campaigning in the 4th division in Germany.
Mark Rowland who writes for Owngoalnigeria.com in Germany gave us his opinion on the decision to call the shot stopper who was with Bayern Leverkusen in his formative years before his move the U19 of Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Last Season:
Okoye was ever present for the B team of Fortuna Dusseldorf and severally trained with the first team. Last season was his first with the U23s in the Regionalliga West ( 4th division) following his promotion from the U19s and he played in 15 games, made the bench for four games and missed three due to injury.
It was a big step up for him and many attributed it to the fact that he made an amazing leap with the U19 the season before last where he impressed in 13 games although he conceded 22 goals and kept just two clean sheets.
For the U23s so far he has played in 20 games, conceded 26 goals with six clean sheet to his name so surely the potential to be a good goalkeeper is in him.
This Season.
He ended the season with an injury and underwent surgery. Upon his return he dropped to the bench for their first league game in the Regionalliga West which they won 1-0 as he continue to build on his fitness following the surgery in the summer.
However he has not been seen around the team in the last three games against Alem Aachen, Bonner SC and TuS Haltern and the explanation from sources close to the club has it that he suffered a minor set back which has kept him out.
Conclusion :
He did really well last season and was the third choice goalkeeper of the first team at a stage but this season he wasn’t registered with the first team and he will continue to play in the 4th division, which personally I feel isn’t good enough for him to be called up to the senior national team of Nigeria.
Also he hasn’t played a minute this season and missed the majority of pre season training as he is still recovering from the surgery he had at the end of last season. Will he be fit before the game?
For now his invitation has more question marks around it than if he was called up last season.