I hope to be better than Enyeama – Okonkwo

Super Eagles goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. Photo: Super Eagles

Super Eagles goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has set his sights on reaching, and potentially surpassing, the heights attained by former Nigeria No.1 Vincent Enyeama, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 24-year-old is back in Éric Chelle’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, following an impressive introduction to senior international football.

Nigeria will face Madagascar in Uyo on Friday (today) before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau next Tuesday.

With Maduka Okoye missing the first two training sessions before arriving in camp a day ahead of Friday’s clash with Madagascar, Okonkwo could earn another cap for Nigeria, either ahead of Stanley Nwabali or as the second-choice goalkeeper.

Asked to name the greatest goalkeeper to have played for the Super Eagles, Okonkwo picked Enyeama.

“Enyeama. I watched him at the World Cup growing up. He is like a legend and I aspire to be close to, or hopefully maybe one day better than, him,” the Wrexham goalkeeper, who is on loan at Charlton Athletic, told Football Temple.

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Okonkwo had previously named Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar as his greatest goalkeeper of all time.

He made his Nigeria debut in the 2-0 win over Zimbabwe at the Unity Cup in May before keeping another clean sheet in the 3-0 final victory over Jamaica.

His Nigerian idol, Enyeama, made 101 appearances for Nigeria, becoming one of only four players to have reached the century mark for the Super Eagles before the Madagascar game. The others are Ahmed Musa, Joseph Yobo and Alex Iwobi. Paris FC winger, Moses Simon, would make his 100th appearance for Nigeria in the game against Madagascar.

Enyeama, who left the national team in 2015, featured at three World Cups — in 2002, 2010 and 2014 — and built a reputation for producing outstanding saves on the international stage. He also helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.

Okonkwo has enjoyed a steady rise over the last three years. He joined Wrexham from Arsenal in 2024 and helped the Welsh club secure promotion from League Two to League One.

Since joining Charlton Athletic on loan from Wrexham, Okonkwo has been playing regularly in the Championship and had recorded three clean sheets in his opening six league appearances by mid-September.