Maduka Okoye has called on the Super Eagles to be switched on from the blast of the whistle against Liberia to avoid being on the end of an embarrassing upset such as they suffered against the Central African Republic.

Nigeria take on Liberia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup matchday 5 qualifier at the Grande Stade de Tanger on Saturday with many predicting a win for the three-time African champions.

While Okoye is confident that the Super Eagles who are 116 places above the Lone Star in the FIFA rankings should be too good for their opponents, the newly-signed Watford goalkeeper, however, said only by being focused and giving a hundred per cent can Nigeria be sure of earning all three points.

“I think from the last matches we could learn that there’s no easy opponent here in Africa,” Okoye said. “We have to be really focused, we have to play at a hundred per cent, then I’m sure we get three points on Saturday.”

Okoye has enjoyed a meteoric rise since making his debut for the Super Eagles in 2019, making 13 appearances in that period and sealing impressive transfers first to Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam and recently to Premier League side Watford.

The 22-year-old German-born goalkeeper is clear-eyed about the role the national team has played in his rise and says he’ll continue to give his best for Nigeria.

“Any time I wear this jersey, I try to do my best for the country, for my family and for the whole land,” he told NFF media. “[The Watford move is] a little boost, but the focus is one hundred per cent on these games now and then on the AFCON.”