Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, has criticised Coach Jose Peseiro over the omission and poor treatment of Maduka Okoye in the senior national team.
Recall that Okoye was not included in the 25-man list that will represent Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament kicking off this weekend in Ivory Coast.
However, in an interview with BBC’s Osasu Obayiuwana, the former Bolton star stated that it was wrong for the Portuguese tactician to have judge Okoye with 2021 AFCON blunder in the Round of 16.
Although, the likes of Frank Uzoho, Stanley Nwabili and Olorunleke Ojo are the three goalkeepers named for the tournament, however, Okocha faulted Peseiro’s treatment of the Udinese goalkeeper.
“[Okoye] is the one keeper who has the type of training and football upbringing that we need in a goalkeeper in the national team. But he is excluded. It’s strange,” Okocha told BBC’s Osasu Obayiuwana.
“The way he was handled [after the Round of 16 game against Tunisia] talks about the quality of player management in the national team,” he added.