AFCON: A boost for the Super Eagles as Okoye returns but delivers an unconvincing performance

The 22-year-old shot-stopper made his return to action on Saturday afternoon, but he would have hoped for a better display

Super Eagles have received a massive boost ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after their number one goalkeeper Maduka Okoye made his return for Sparta Rotterdam.

Okoye had not played since he walked off in Sparta’s clash against Ajax at the end of last month. However, he made his return in the Eredivisie encounter against Vitesse at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Saturday evening.

But it was not the best of performances from the former Fortuna Dusseldorf 11 goalkeeper. The Nigerian was at fault for Vitesse’s opener after he misjudged a cross to allow Nikolai Baden Frederiksen to tap home in the 15th minute.

Okoye was again helpless in the 37th minute as the Danish U21 scored his second of the game to give the away side a two-goal lead going into the break.

The Nigerian international has now conceded 22 goals in 15 league games this season. But despite going two goals down at half-time, Sparta fought back in the second half, courtesy of a brace from Sven Mijnans.

The result did not do Henk Fraser’s men any favours, though, as they still sit in the relegation zone with 12 points from 17 games.