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“I love one-on-ones” – Super Eagles and Watford ace Okoye reveals his four goalkeeping strengths
Imhons Erons by Imhons Erons 10 hours ago in EPL, Eredivisie, News, NewsNow, Nigeria 0
https://soccernet.ng/2022/06/i-love-one ... ngths.html



The Nigeria international will look to excel in England as he did in the Netherlands before his celebrated move

Super Eagles shot-stopper Maduka Okoye has revealed some of the goalkeeping strengths that have helped him rise from the lower leagues in Germany to the high reaches of the English Championship.

Just over two years ago, Okoye was battling it out in the fourth tier of German football with the Fortuna Düsseldorf reserve team.

But since then, the 22-year-old has built a solid reputation in the Netherlands and become the number one goalkeeper of the Super Eagles, three-time African champions.

Okoye has highlighted the qualities he possesses that have helped him earn a multimillion-euro move to Watford.

In a chat with the Watford Observer, Okoye discusses his strength in going one-on-ones with strikers, coming to claim crosses, playing the ball to his feet, and watching how great goalkeepers handle challenges.

“I love one-on-ones! For me there is nothing more beautiful than when a striker is in front of me, and it’s me or him. I have to get the ball or fail,” Okoye said.

“I like to be a presence in the air as well. I know the ball comes in the box a lot in the Championship and I enjoy that.

“Already in training, we have started work on that aspect a lot. I’m happy to take a risk and come for the ball. It’s good to do that sometimes and not just play safe.”

A big fan of Brazil great Dida, Okoye added: “Having to play with the ball at your feet as a keeper is a lot about reading the game,” he explained.

“It’s taking up the right position. I have no problem with the fact that being a goalkeeper in today’s football is about a lot more than keeping the ball out of the goal. As a keeper, I need to control the whole box at all times and be prepared to take control when the ball is outside the box.

“I like to watch other goalkeepers at the highest level and learn from what they do. The higher the standard they play in, the more they are expected to do with their feet inside and outside the box.”

Okoye is gearing up to be Watford’s number one goalkeeper next season as the Hornets aim to instantly return to the English Premier League following their relegation last term.

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

jette1 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 12:19 am

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

Improving your skills doesn’t necessarily mean you have weakness or weaknesses

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

Odas wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:33 am

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

Is Okoye still in the Super-eagles' team?

maceo4 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 4:21 am

Odas wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:33 am

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

Is Okoye still in the Super-eagles' team?

I would hope so…as long as he’s committed…

Enugu II wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:53 am He will get another chance, i believe but he will more likely do so as a backup unless Uzoho messes up.

maceo4 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 4:21 am

Odas wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:33 am

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

Is Okoye still in the Super-eagles' team?

I would hope so…as long as he’s committed…

packerland wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 3:13 am

Enugu II wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:53 am He will get another chance, i believe but he will more likely do so as a backup unless Uzoho messes up.

maceo4 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 4:21 am

Odas wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:33 am

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

Is Okoye still in the Super-eagles' team?

I would hope so…as long as he’s committed…

I don’t have faith in neither once of them. I think Uzoho is playing with nothing to loose which is why he’s performing well, but I’m still shocked how jittery he was in that game against Ghana for someone who has WC experience.

Okoye needs to stop 1 shot before we can include him in the discussion

packerland wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 3:13 am

Enugu II wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:53 am He will get another chance, i believe but he will more likely do so as a backup unless Uzoho messes up.

maceo4 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 4:21 am

Odas wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:33 am

maceo4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:28 pm Good luck to him, will do us a lot of good if he’s able to improve on his weaknesses. Now we need Uzoho and others to get regular playing time also.

Is Okoye still in the Super-eagles' team?

I would hope so…as long as he’s committed…

I don’t have faith in neither once of them. I think Uzoho is playing with nothing to loose which is why he’s performing well, but I’m still shocked how jittery he was in that game against Ghana for someone who has WC experience.

Okoye needs to stop 1 shot before we can include him in the discussion

donadoni wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 7:47 pm Let’s remember that for goal keepers both of these guys are still very early in their careers - they could evolve a lot before hitting their prime