Despite conceding five goals on Tuesday night in the English Championship, Wrexham of Wales goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo has been tagged ‘a new talented option for Nigeria,’ Sports247 reports.
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This is sequel to a long record of outstanding performances by Okonkwo before the official approval he received on the same Tursday from FIFA to switch from England and play for Nigeria at senior level.
Okonkwo’s decision to opt for international allegiance with the Super Eagles has now been described as a development that ‘adds another talented option to Nigeria’s goalkeeping ranks.’
This verdict came from a journalist in England, Rahman Osman, who hinted in popular UK tabloid, The Sun, that Okonkwo’s switch is a loss for his country of birth, for which he featured at youth level.
While writing under the headline, ‘FLAG SWAP; Wrexham and former Arsenal star switches international allegiance from England despite playing for Three Lions as a kid,’ Osman noted that Okonkwo has recently grown in leaps are bounds.
He admitted that Nigeria stand to gain immensely from having the 24 year-old keeper in the Super Eagles, as Okonkwo acquired huge foundation experience in Arsenal’s academy, as well as on loan at Crewe Alexandra of England and Sturm Graz of Austria.
Osman’s report adds in part, “Okonkwo represented England at every youth level from under-15 to under-18 before deciding to switch his international future. After FIFA confirmed his switch, he is now eligible to play for Nigeria at senior level.
“He has cemented his place (at) Wrexham, racking up 119 appearances and helping the club achieve two promotions. This season, Okonkwo has played 42 matches in all competitions, keeping ten clean sheets in 37 Championship games.
“His ten clean sheets put him joint seventh in the division for the current campaign. Should he be called up for Nigeria, Okonkwo could reunite with former Arsenal academy graduates Alex Iwobi and Semi Ajayi.
“Wrexham are currently seventh in the Championship and chasing a fourth consecutive promotion. Okonkwo’s decision marks a major step in his international career and adds another talented option to Nigeria’s goalkeeping ranks.”
Sports247 further reports that, despite letting in five goals at home against Southampton on Tuesday night, Okonkwo put up a gallant display that made him rank as his team’s second best player in the match.
He will now look up to receiving his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles ahead of their outing at the 2026 Unity Cup next month, with high potential of featuring in Nigeria’s title defence against India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe.
