By Vitus Michael

Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye was injured on Sunday as his club, Sparta Rotterdam’s lost 1-0 at home to Eredivisie League leaders, Ajax.

Okoye was injured in the first half and forced out if the match in the 24th minute.

The Watford-bound goalkeeper was replaced by Benjamin van Leer after a suspected shoulder injury following a collision with Ajax forward, Danilo.

The club confirmed the injury on their Twitter handle but did not give further details: “Sparta are forced to make a first change due to injury to Okoye,” the club said.

Okoye’s injury is coming too soon after Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen on Tuesday underwent successful facial surgery in Italy and have been ruled out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Cameroon early next year

With the extent of the injury yet determined, concerns are high on whether or not Okoye who recently signed for English Premier League side, Watford, would be available ahead of the AFCON which begins in January.

Since the unceremonious departure of Vincent Enyeama and the sickness-induced retirement of Carl Ikeme, Super Eagles goalkeeping department has been fragile with Okoye and Francis Uzoho often rotated by coach Gernot Rohr.