W’Cup qualifiers: Full house in Uyo as Okoye joins Eagles News

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, joined his teammates late Wednesday night in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Okoye’s arrival means new gaffer Finidi George has the full complement of his 23-man squad for the crucial qualifiers against South Africa on Friday and Benin Republic on Monday.

Okoye was among eight players left stranded in Lagos and Abuja respectively on Monday following the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, which grounded flight operations nationwide.

The industrial action threw general planning for the big match off-gear, and the Nigeria Football Federation had to opt for chartered jet arrangements to get the stranded players stranded down to the Akwa Ibom State capital.

However, while the others arrived in Uyo on Tuesday, Okoye was still expected with the federation not stating reasons for his delay in Abuja.

Confirming Okoye’s arrival in Uyo, Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe stated on the team’s WhatsApp platform, “Update: Maduka Okoye has arrived at the Eagles nest. All 23 players in camp.”

According to the NFF, the majority of the match officials were also booked for flights out of Abuja on Wednesday, with only referee assessor Ahmed Sayed Abou Elela from Egypt due to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday.

Nigeria managed two points from their opening two games in Group C and must win both games to stand a chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Rwanda are the surprise leaders of the group with four points from two games while the South Africans are second with three points, one point ahead of third-place Nigeria.