Super Eagles Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye Handed Two-Match Ban
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-match suspension following a red card for violent conduct while playing for Fortuna Düsseldorf’s reserve side.
The 20-year-old was sent off during Fortuna Düsseldorf II’s 2-1 victory over Homberg in a German regional league match after a reckless challenge on an opponent.
As a result, Okoye will miss upcoming fixtures against Borussia Mönchengladbach II and Lippstadt 08.
The incident marked the first red card of his professional career and came shortly after a positive period in which he had been included in Fortuna Düsseldorf’s Bundesliga matchday squads against Borussia Mönchengladbach, SC Freiburg and Hertha Berlin.
Despite the suspension, Okoye was expected to return in time for the match against Fortuna Köln on March 21.
That would make him available ahead of Nigeria’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.
Okoye was among the goalkeepers named by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr for the qualifying fixtures as he continued to establish himself in the national team setup.
