The recent announcement of Nigeria's 28-man squad for the AFCON 2025 tournament has sparked significant discussion, particularly regarding the omission of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. While Okoye was initially part of the preliminary 54-man list, reports suggested he opted out of the final selection due to not being guaranteed a starting role. This decision led to questions about the goalkeeper's patriotism, prompting former Super Eagles captain and midfielder Sunday Oliseh to offer a detailed perspective on the matter.

Speaking on his Global Football Show podcast, Oliseh adamantly defended Okoye, asserting that goalkeepers are "a different race" or "species" and require unique management. He stressed that unlike outfield players, goalkeepers fundamentally need to know in advance whether they will be playing in a match. This specialized requirement stems from their distinct training regimens and the singular focus placed on the number one goalkeeper within a team.

Oliseh recounted the immense criticism Maduka Okoye faced after his last appearance for Nigeria, stating the young shot-stopper was "torn into bits online, on television, everywhere." The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder described the backlash as so personally damaging that he pondered, "If this boy were my son, I will tell him now, go and stop playing. Just go make your life again. Forget it." He also pointed out that during that period, Nigeria's defense was not at its strongest, leaving Okoye exposed despite some personal errors.

Having since rebuilt his career and regained his form, performing "very well" at Udinese, Okoye now faces a critical juncture. Oliseh highlighted the practical dilemma: participating in AFCON during the ongoing European league season would mean Okoye risks losing his hard-earned starting position at his club. If he were to join the national team without playing, he would return to Udinese potentially finding his place taken, thereby undermining his recent progress and potentially "destroying this man" once again, as Oliseh put it. The former Super Eagles leader emphasized that clubs typically do not reinstate a player who has been away if their replacement has performed well.

Addressing the accusations of unpatriotism, Oliseh underscored that while he understands such sentiments, it's crucial not to "exaggerate." He concluded by stating, "People are not slaves or to be used," advocating for a more nuanced understanding of a player's professional and personal well-being. Okoye's recent performance, including a clean sheet in Udinese's 1-0 victory over Napoli, further illustrates his current good form and the value of his consistent club performance.