AFCON 2025: Maduka Okoye to join Nigeria camp from December 14

Nigeria senior men’s national team goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will leave his Italian Serie A club Udinese to link up with the Super Eagles camp starting on Saturday, December 14, for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

​The decision was revealed by Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic on Saturday ahead of the club’s Monday clash against Genoa in the league.

​Speaking on the issue of losing players to the AFCON, Runjaic said the matter is being addressed and that after the club’s game against Napoli on the 14th of December, the players will depart for the continental tournament.

“We’re considering this issue. After Napoli, we’ll probably no longer have Rui Modesto, Okoye, Bayo, and Zemura, but we’ve known about it for some time.”

This follows FIFA’s recent announcement this week that clubs can release players by December 15. Clubs were originally expected to release players on December 8.

​Okoye is expected to be named in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON 2025 finals by Head Coach Eric Chelle.

​The 26-year-old, who already missed the start of the season due to a ban, will also miss the months of December and January for his club, depending on how far the Super Eagles reach in the competition.