Rohr: Why Okoye was absent for Lesotho game

Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles head coach, says Maduka Okoye was absent for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations game against Lesotho due to stomach ache.

Okoye, who was between the stick for the three-time African champion against Benin Republic in Porto Novo, was conspicuously absent on matchday 6 game against the Crocodiles at the Teslim Balogun stadium.

Nigeria finished the AFCON qualifiers unbeaten following a 3-0 victory over Thabo Senong Boys.

Victor Osimhen was the toast of the Super Eagles in that game after he scored a goal in the 23rd minute and recorded an assist as Nigeria finished with 14 points to top Group L.

“Maduka Okoye had stomach problem. He was sick in the last moment. He could not play. He had to stay in the hotel but he is much better now,” Rohr said on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Sparta Rotterdam safe hands has five appearances for Nigeria since his first invitation to the senior national team in 2019.