Sparta Rotterdam of Holland goalkeeper, Emil Maduka Okoye has admitted that it is important for him to stay in top form with his Dutch Eredivisie club, in order for him to stay on as Nigeria’s new first choice, megasportsarena.com reports.
Having kept goal for the Super Eagles’ last four matches in a stretch, the former Fortuna Düsseldorf of Germany shot-stopper has been rated in many circles as Nigeria’s new reliable in between the sticks, but he has now modestly rebuffed that verdict.
He also shinning at club level, as Okoye has not looked back since his initial debut against ADO Den Haag in October, going on to make five league appearances, with two clean sheets in the process, helping his side to 75% of the points they have gathered so far this campaign.
While the club initially failing to win any of their first six league games prior to when Okoye got his first full outing against SC Heerenveen in November, things have since turned round for the better and they currently sit ninth on the 18-team table, having picked up 12 points from their opening 11 league games.
Although he admitted playing regular for club and country is top of his dreams, and he would love to keep donning Nigeria’s green-and-white jersey at each point in time, Okoye stressed that he still has a lot of work to do ahead of him.
He went on to declare that his new found form is down to hard work, consistency, good conduct off the pitch and trust from his coach, who has motivated him all the way into pulling off a series of amazing performances with Rotterdam.
The 21-year-old Okoye has been a revelation since breaking into the first team in October and has helped the club climb out of relegation waters, with last weekend’s 2-1 win over FC Emmem helping the lad born in Germany to further concretise his place in the starting squad, but he says he wants to do more and help the continue their rise on the log..
Okoye told AOIFootball.com: “I think hard work is always paying off, it’s just a matter of time and a matter of God’s planning and timing. That’s why I trusted my process and kept on doing my thing and will continue to do it.
“It’s important that I am in a good position with my team after a difficult start to the season for us. The last few months have been amazing for me and the squad so I just want to help the team and achieve our goals.”
