Super Eagles first-choice GK Okoye provides shoulder injury update

The Nigerian international went off injured on Sunday during his side's early afternoon clash with Ajax

The shoulder injury suffered by Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in the first half of Sparta Rotterdam's Eredivisie clash at home to champions Ajax is not as bad as initially feared.

Okoye came off worse after clashing with an opposing attacker in the 24th minute of the game week 14 encounter and was replaced by Sparta's reserve shot-stopper Benjamin van Leer.

And with the Africa Cup of Nations tournament barely six weeks away, a lengthy injury layoff could rule the Nigerian number one gloves out of the continental championships.

But Okoye has waived aside all worries about how long he could be out of action after telling Dutch publications Rijnmond Sports that he had only suffered a knock.

The 22-year-goalkeeper is confident that he will take back his place between the sticks when Sparta Rotterdam trade tackles with AZ Alkmaar next Sunday.

That would be a big relief to Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr whose plans have taken a massive knock following multiple facial injuries to star striker Victor Osimhen.

Okoye has gone from being a reserve goalkeeper at German club side Fortuna Dusseldorf to being Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper in two years, and the youngster could be key to Nigeria's chances of winning a fourth continental title next year.