Arthur Okonkwo inspired Wrexham to a place in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup on Friday night, keeping a clean sheet as the Red Dragons secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chuba Akpom’s Ipswich Town at the Racecourse Ground, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

The Hale End academy graduate, a former England youth international, is strongly in contention to make his Super Eagles debut in the coming months, with the Nigeria Football Federation confirming that his paperwork is now in place, paving the way for a maiden call-up to the three-time African champions.

Okonkwo has long been on the radar of the Nigerian Football Federation and its scouting team, with former president Amaju Pinnick attempting to bring him into the fold during his Arsenal days, but then-coach Gernot Rohr argued that he was too young to be invited to the squad.

Okonkwo’s performances since his move to Wrexham have demonstrated that he has come of age, earning widespread praise for his consistent displays, and it is only a matter of time before he receives international recognition.

A first-half close-range finish from Josh Windass proved enough to clinch the win and see Wrexham progress to the next round.

Okonkwo pulled off a vital save inside the box to prevent the Tractor Boys from levelling in the second half. 

Since joining Wrexham, first on loan and later permanently in June 2024, the former Arsenal shot-stopper has kept an impressive 45 clean sheets in 109 appearances.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel