Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed that his international allegiance to Nigeria was never in doubt, even though he was eligible to represent Germany.

Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, the Bayer Leverkusen academy graduate qualifies to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian father.

Former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr had been combing Europe in search of a dependable goalkeeper following the retirement of Carl Ikeme due to illness, with Maduka Okoye among the dual-national shot-stoppers on his radar.

Okoye required little persuasion before committing his international future to Nigeria and was even open to featuring for the Olympic Eagles.

His senior debut came unexpectedly as he replaced the injured Francis Uzoho in the second half of a high-profile friendly against Brazil in October 2019.

Okoye noted that his decision to play for Nigeria was influenced by his strong ties to the country.

"I was born and raised in Germany. I have my neighbourhood of Düsseldorf tattooed on my skin, and even the number 40, mine, is the one for the kindergarten district. Close to the city centre, but you have to conquer everything," Okoye told  Corriere dello Sport, via Udineseblog. 

"Nigeria is the country of my father and my younger brother, the one I chose to play for, without even thinking twice, it was my dream. I feel Nigerian."

Okoye also spoke about settling into life in Italy, where he currently plies his trade with Udinese. 

"I feel good in Italy, it’s my home," he concluded.

Okoye has played nineteen games for Nigeria and made a cap-tying appearance in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone in November 2020.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel