Okonkwo concedes 5 goals days after FIFA clearance

Okonkwo concedes 5 goals days after FIFA clearance

Arthur Okonkwo conceded five goals in a single game for the first time in his professional career as Wrexham were hammered 5-1 by Southampton in a Championship clash at STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday night. 

There was no doubting the Saints' credentials, as they backed up their FA Cup quarterfinal win over Arsenal in style, with goals from Kuryu Matsuki, Flynn Downes, Cyle Larin, Ross Stewart and Finn Azaz ensuring that Josh Windass’ strike on 34 minutes proved nothing more than a consolation.

The win could have been more emphatic but Finn Azaz and Cycle Larin's efforts struck the woodwork on multiple occasions. 

Tuesday was expected to be a moment of celebration for Okonkwo, following confirmation that Fifa had approved his switch of sporting nationality from England to Nigeria, but the occasion was instead marred by an unwanted personal record. 

Prior to the visit of Southampton, the Hale End Academy graduate had never conceded more than four goals in a single match.

The former England youth international shipped four in Crewe Alexandra's 4–0 defeat to Grimsby Town in August 2022, conceded another four in an FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers in January 2024, and was again beaten four times in Wrexham's 4–2 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup last month.

With FIFA giving the go-ahead for Okonkwo to don the Nigerian jersey, everything points to a senior debut before year-end.