Peterside Idah: “Arthur Okonkwo must prove himself for Nigeria call up”

Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peterside Idah has advised Arthur Okonkwo to prove himself to earn a senior call up in future.

Okonkwo, who plies his trade with English Championship side Wrexham recently switched allegiance from England to represent the Super Eagles.

Okonkwo represented England at under-16, under-17 and the under-18 levels during his formative years.

With an array of keepers like Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie to contend with, Peterside believes Okonkwo has to play above himself to stand a chance for a future call up.

Arthur Okonkwo represented England at youth level

“He still has to prove himself. Being good for your club is quite different from playing for Nigeria.

“I’ve seen a lot of players perform very well at club level but struggle with the national team. It’s a different ball game entirely.

“When you’re in England, the weather is good, the clubs are well organised. But when you come to Africa, the situation is always different.

“That said, we already have two or three very good goalkeepers. In the last few years, I’m not sure we’ve really had problems in that department because [Stanley] Nwabali has done well, and Maduka [Okoye] has also come back.

“He just has to keep working hard to earn his place.”

Okonkwo came through the Arsenal youth ranks before going on loan spells at Crewe Alexandra, Sturm Graz and Wrexham.

He made a permanent move to Wrexham from Arsenal in 2024 and he has made an immediate impact at the club.

For this season, the 24-year-old has made 38 appearances, conceding 51 times with 10 clean sheets as Wrexham sit in 7th on 64 points from 41 matches.

They are two points below the Championship playoff zone with five matches to draw curtains down the season.