Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye receives a call-up to the Super Eagles for the friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, filling in for the unavailable Adeleye Adebayo and Olorunleke Ojo. Coach Jose Peseiro brings back Okoye, who returns to the squad for the first time since the international friendly against Portugal in Lisbon in November 2022.

The decision is prompted by Adebayo's logistical challenges related to the Israel-Hamas crisis and Ojo's visa issues for entering Portugal, where the friendlies are scheduled. With only Francis Uzoho present in the goalkeeping department at the Eagles' training camp in Portugal, the inclusion of Maduka Okoye becomes necessary.

Despite previous struggles and online criticism from Super Eagles fans, Okoye will compete with Uzoho for the starting goalkeeper position in the upcoming friendlies against Saudi Arabia on Friday, October 13, and Mozambique on the following Monday. These matches serve as crucial preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November.