The goalkeeper is eyeing AFCON glory after a dream debut for the Super Eagles

Fresh from a memorable first international assignment for Nigeria, Arthur Okonkwo has said winning the Africa Cup of Nations is now his greatest ambition as the Wrexham goalkeeper continues to establish himself for both club and country.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper enjoyed a dream introduction to life with the Super Eagles in June, making his senior debut under Eric Chelle and emerging with two clean sheets as Nigeria lifted the Unity Cup in London.

After helping Nigeria defeat Zimbabwe and Jamaica to a record fourth Unity Cup title, Okonkwo’s international education continued with high-profile friendly matches against Poland and World Cup-bound Portugal.

Although Nigeria drew 2-2 against Poland before narrowly losing 2-1 to fifth-placed Portugal, the Wrexham marksman believes the experience has been invaluable as he begins what he hopes will be a long international career.

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

“It’s been really nice to see how we perform against tough opponents this month. I’m enjoying the experience day after day. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”

Despite arriving after an impressive domestic season in which he recorded nine clean sheets in 35 league appearances, Okonkwo insists he has approached his Super Eagles journey with humility rather than expectations.

Instead of demanding the No. 1 shirt, the former Arsenal academy goalkeeper says he has focused on learning from established internationals Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye.

“Uzoho and Maduka are two excellent goalkeepers,” he explained.

“Things are learned during training and I have been able to observe them because they have been here longer than me, so they understand how we play. They understand the system. They understand everything much better than me.

“It’s just about absorbing everything, understanding the way we play and putting it into my game.”

After Nigeria’s failure to qualify for consecutive FIFA World Cups in 2022 and 2026, attention has turned to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where the three-time African champions will look to end a 14-year wait for continental glory.

The Super Eagles last lifted the trophy in 2013, before finishing runners-up in 2023 and taking bronze in 2025.

For Okonkwo, helping Nigeria regain the African crown became the greatest goal of his international career.

“My biggest dream would be to help this country win the AFCON,” he said.

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

As his international stock continues to grow, Okonkwo remains fully committed to helping Wrexham AFC achieve its long-held ambition of reaching the Premier League.

The Championship side narrowly missed out on the promotion play-offs after finishing seventh in the table, but the goalkeeper believes the club’s remarkable rise under co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney is far from over.

“I don’t think it was a sad ending,” he said. “I think, obviously, we were close.

“So, you know, it hurts a little bit, but we’ve done 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 changes for next season.”

With just one year remaining on his current contract and no discussions yet underway for an extension, Okonkwo’s future is expected to draw significant interest this summer.

However, the goalkeeper remains focused on a simple goal.

“Just to play because Okonkwo’s footballing journey began at Arsenal’s renowned Hale End Academy, where he developed alongside current Gunners star Bukayo Saka before setting off in search of regular first-team football.

The Nigerian international revealed that he is a close friend of Saka and recently spoke to the Arsenal vice-captain following their UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

“I think the one on the team I talk to even the most is Bukayo,” Okonkwo revealed.

“You know, it was a bit sad, but they had an incredible season. They took PSG all the way and they’re really proud of themselves, as they should be.

“The club has done very well and this is the conversation I had with him. He is still positive and I think he will repeat himself next season.”

For Okonkwo, the month of June could prove to be a decisive chapter. From a confident Super Eagles debut to dreaming of ending Nigeria’s long wait for another AFCON title, the goalkeeper has shown composure on the pitch and maturity off it.

As Nigeria begin preparations for their next continental clash, the Wrexham goalkeeper appears determined to become a key figure for the Super Eagles, keeping clean, one lesson and one dream at a time.