Okonkwo dreams World Cup with Nigeria

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Super Eagles goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, has said winning the World Cup with Nigeria remains his ultimate dream, even as he named the Africa Cup of Nations as his most immediate ambition following a memorable introduction to international football in June.

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The 24-year-old Wrexham shot-stopper made his senior debut under Eric Chelle during the month, keeping two clean sheets as Nigeria lifted a record fourth Unity Cup title in London with wins over Zimbabwe and Jamaica. He followed that up with appearances in high-profile friendlies against Poland and World Cup-bound Portugal, matches in which Nigeria played out a 2-2 draw and suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat, respectively.

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Okonkwo said the experience of facing quality opposition so early in his international career had been invaluable.

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“It’s my first time in the Nigeria team, and I’m just taking it all in,” he said.

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“It was really good to watch how we operate against difficult opponents this month. I’m just enjoying the experience day by day. I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.”

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Despite arriving on the back of an impressive domestic season, in which he registered nine clean sheets in 35 Championship appearances, the former Arsenal academy goalkeeper said he had approached his Super Eagles call-up with humility, choosing instead to learn from established internationals, Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye, rather than push for the number one jersey.

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With Nigeria having missed consecutive World Cups in 2022 and 2026, attention has turned to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where the three-time champions will hope to end a 14-year wait for continental glory, having last won the title in 2013 before finishing runners-up in 2023 and taking bronze in 2025.

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Okonkwo said reclaiming the African crown, and eventually chasing World Cup glory, had become the driving ambition of his international career.

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“My biggest dream would be helping this country win AFCON,” he said.

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“It’s been too long. And, of course, to qualify for the World Cup and go as far as possible. I think we have the best country, and we can dream of winning the World Cup.”

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Away from international duty, Okonkwo remains committed to helping Wrexham achieve their long-standing ambition of Premier League football. The Championship side narrowly missed out on the promotion playoffs after finishing seventh, but the goalkeeper insisted the club’s rise under co-owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, was far from over.

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“I don’t think it was a sad ending,” he said. “I think, obviously, we were close. So, you know, it hurts a little, but we did really well this season. The next thing is to push for promotion next season. That’s been the idea since I’ve been there, so I don’t see any change for next season.”

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With just one year left on his contract and no extension talks yet underway, Okonkwo’s future is expected to attract interest this summer, though he insisted his focus remained simply on playing football.

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