Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye may not featured for Nigeria as the Super Eagles battle Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Okoye still has about two weeks more on the sidelines after going under the knife in December due to an injury he sustained on his right wrist.

Since the injury, he has missed 13 games for the club which are still yet to announce the duration he has left on the sidelines.

His deputy, Razvan Sava, has also sustained an injury, leaving Udinese in a goalkeeper crisis.

The club said,“Udinese Calcio announces that Razvan Sava has suffered a compound fracture of the fifth finger of his right hand. The player will undergo surgery on Saturday at the Villa Stuart clinic in Rome.”

In the meantime, Padelli, the third goalkeeper, warms up his gloves and prepares to make up for the absence in goal while the club awaits Okoye’s return.

Meanwhile, asides Okoye, the Eagles are also facing other injury problems as captain William Troost-Ekong is also doubtful for the qualifiers.

Also, Raphael Onyeka of Club Brugge may not play for the Eagles after he sustained injury when Club Brugge suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Standard Liege on Sunday.

Onyedika was forced to leave the pitch at the 23rd minute and the extent of his injury has not been declared by the Belgian side.

“Onyedika has to go off injured. Nielsen comes in his place,” the club posted via X.

Onyedika has had 14 appearances for the Eagles during which he scored one goal.

At club level, he has one league goal plus one assist, same as in the UEFA Champions League where Club Brugge will now face Aston Villa in the round of 16.

Last weekend, Semi Ajayi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also picked up injuries

Semi Ajayi was injured in West Brom’s 2-0 win over Oxford United, while Dele-Bashiru suffered an ankle injury in Lazio’s goalless draw with Venezia.

New Eagles coach Eric Chelle will be taking notes of the situation as he prepares for the games next month.

ASA