2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Get Maduka Okoye, Dele-Bashiru Boost

2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Get Maduka Okoye, Dele-Bashiru Boost 

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye and attacking midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru gave the needed booost to coach Eric Chelle as both players returned to duty for their respective clubs on Monday night in the Italian Serie A game.

Maduka Okoye was in the goal post while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made the bench as Lazio and Udinese played a 1-1 draw in Monday night’s Serie A encounter.

While Okoye reclaimed his number one position for Udinese, Dele-Bashiru was an unused substitute for Lazio.

Okoye had been sidelined since December 2024 after Injurying his wrist and had to undergo surgery.

For Dele-Bashiru, he suffered an ankle injury and was out of action since February.

After being passed fit both players were included in their respective club’s matchday squads for Monday’s encounter.

Udinese opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Florian Thauvin before Alessio Romagnoli equalised for Lazio on 32 minutes.

It is now five straight games without defeat for Udinese (three wins, two draws), while Lazio took their unbeaten steak to three games (two wins, one draw).

The draw means Lazio are in fifth place on 51 points and Udinese are 10th on 40 points in the league table.

The return of Dele-Bashiru and Okoye will be a welcome development and give the Super Eagles coaching crew options ahead of this month’s Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Both players made the 39-man provisional squad released for the double header encounters.

The Eagles are in fifth place in the group, four points behind leaders Rwanda.