AFCON qualifiers: ‘He’s better’ – Ikpeba chooses between Nwabali, Okoye

Former Nigeria international, Victor Ikpeba, has said that Stanley Nwabali is better than Maduka Okoye in goal.

Ikpeba’s comment followed Nigeria’s closely contested 2-1 win over Madagascar on Friday evening. He contended that Nwabali demonstrates superior goalkeeping capabilities compared to Okoye.

Okoye had been used in consecutive matches for the Super Eagles during the June friendly fixtures; however, the Udinese goalkeeper was ineligible for selection against Madagascar following his late arrival for international duty.

Chelle authorized Okoye’s delayed arrival at camp to permit attendance at an event sponsored by his Italian club.

Ikpeba said on SuperSport, “Credit to Nwabali, he’s the number one goalkeeper for the national team. In my opinion, he’s better than Maduka. People at home might disagree, but he’s the number one goalkeeper for the national team.

“He showed that attribute again, the belief, the determination, ‘I’m going to stop the lad’. Yes, the Madagascar attacker should have done better if he had a technique like me in my days.

“He demonstrated that characteristic once more, the assurance, the resolve, ‘I shall prevent the player’. Certainly, the Madagascar forward ought to have performed more effectively had he possessed technical proficiency comparable to my capabilities during my career.

“He prevented our embarrassment because at that moment, had it been 2-1, the match’s conclusion remains uncertain. The result might have concluded 2-2 or resulted in our defeat 2-1.”