In an interview with rijnmond.nl, a Dutch press organization site, Maduka Okoye speaks about the goalkeepers he looks up to.
The young goalkeeper moved to the Netherlands past summer to link up with Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam and has five caps to his name with the Nigerian national team.
In the conversation, Okoye spoke highly of Vincent Enyeama and had words for Peter Rufai too, both legendary goalkeepers in Nigerian football.
“Enyeama is the greatest Nigerian goalkeeper. Record international too. He is also more of my generation. But I do know Rufai. Not personally, but I know that he played for Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands.” Okoye said.
His idol, however, is Nélson de Jesus Silva, Dida for short. Former Brazilian goalkeeper who is most remembered for his time with AC Milan.
“Nelson Dida was my idol, for me, he was the greatest. I loved his style. Now I am a fan of Marc-André ter Stegen.
“Andre Onana is also a great goalkeeper, I love to watch him. Definitely, he’s the best African goalkeeper at the moment. The second one is Mendy from Chelsea.”
Last summer, Okoye signed a two-year contract with Sparta having an option to extend it for another two years. The 21-years-old has kept his place for the Dutch top-flight club since making his first appearance.
“My future is in the back of my head. I think, no, I know the Premier League is my favorite league. But the front of my head tells me to show it here at Sparta first.”
Okoye has made five league appearances for Sparta Rotterdam this season keeping two clean sheets in between solid performances.