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Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. Photo by IMAGO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peterside Idah has urged newly cleared shot-stopper Arthur Okonkwo to prove himself at the international level, Soccernet.ng <\/a>exclusively reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n The former Lobi Stars goalie insists club form alone will not guarantee success for the Wrexham A.F.C goalkeeper with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.<\/p>\n Okonkwo recently received the green light from FIFA to represent the 2013 AFCON Champions after completing his nationality switch from England, ending months of uncertainty over his international future.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old, who developed at Arsenal and currently competes in the EFL Championship, is expected to receive his maiden call-up ahead of Nigeria\u2019s upcoming international fixtures.<\/p>\n However, Idah believes the goalkeeper must first adapt to the unique demands of African football before staking a claim for a starting role.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he still has to prove himself. Being good for your club is quite different from playing for Nigeria,\u201d Idah told Soccernet.ng.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of players perform very well at club level but struggle with the national team. It\u2019s a different ball game entirely.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n The former international further highlighted the contrast between European and African football environments, noting that external conditions often play a significant role.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re in England, the weather is good, the clubs are well organised. But when you come to Africa, the situation is always different.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Despite Okonkwo\u2019s arrival, Idah maintains that the Super Eagles are not short of quality options between the sticks.<\/p>\n Nigeria currently boasts a competitive goalkeeping pool, including Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, and first-choice Stanley Nwabali.<\/p>\n \u201cThat said, we already have two or three very good goalkeepers. In the last few years, I\u2019m not sure we\u2019ve really had problems in that department because [Stanley] Nwabali has done well, and Maduka [Okoye] has also come back,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Idah concluded by encouraging Okonkwo to remain focused as he bids to break into the team.<\/p>\n \u201cSo he still needs to prove himself. But kudos to him\u2014he just has to keep working hard to earn his place.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n With Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle set to assemble his squad for friendlies against Portugal and Poland in June<\/a>, competition for the number one shirt is expected to intensify.<\/p>\n Okonkwo\u2019s inclusion could spark a fierce battle in goal \u2014 but as Idah insists, the former England youth international must first show he can handle the pressure of wearing the green and white.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/1zSuoyPZtvTs1867dnbBtC8bTjo=\/1024x683\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F01%2Fimago1070934765.jpg\")
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Soccer No crisis in Super Eagles goalkeeping department<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Soccer Battle lines drawn for Okonkwo ahead of June fixtures<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Ayomide Oguntimehin” src=”https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/ycGEJDr9VZlpO_5zujn3ZdvICxA=\/150×150\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2024%2F12%2FAyomide-Oguntimehin-pics.jpg” height=”80″ width=”80″>\t\t<\/p>\n