After facing limited opportunities with the Super Eagles in the past, Okoye is eager to prove himself and challenge for a regular spot in the team, despite Stanley Nwabali's strong hold on the number one jersey.

Okoye expressed his enthusiasm for being called up to the national team again, stating that he is happy to be given the opportunity to showcase his skills and wait for his chance to play.

With a potential start in goal for Nigeria in Friday's international friendly against Russia, Okoye is expected to make a strong case for himself.

Okoye was born in Germany to a Nigerian father and German mother, but he chose to represent Nigeria in international football. He made his Super Eagles debut against Brazil in 2019, ending speculation that he might play for Germany.

Despite limited opportunities with Nigeria in recent times, Okoye remains unfazed and welcomes the growing competition for the Super Eagles' number one spot.

He praised Stanley Nwabali's impressive performances and acknowledged that he needs to reach the same level of success with the national team as he has at club level.

Okoye has also dismissed claims that he once snubbed Nigeria, insisting that representing the country remains a deep source of pride and motivation for him.

He clarified that he never pulled out of the national team and always said yes when called up, even if he didn't feel like it from his heart.

When asked about handling the pressure of playing for Nigeria, Okoye acknowledged that it's part of the game and that he feels a lot of love from Nigerian fans.

He emphasized the importance of understanding the fans and giving them something back through their performances on the pitch.