Maduka Okoye set to return to action after betting ban

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is close to completing his two-month suspension for betting-related offences and is now set to be immediately reinstated to the starting lineup in Udinese’s first Serie A game after the international break. 

The Zebras return to Serie A action on Monday, October 20, for an away game at the Stadio Giovanni Zini. According to Mondoudinese, Okoye is expected to be between the sticks for the game. 

Razvan Sava, his deputy, assumed the position in Okoye's absence. While certain coaches will opt to keep the number two on while slowly reintegrating the number one, Udinese’s Kosta Runjaic is believed to be prepared to start Okoye immediately. 

Okoye was placed under formal investigation after a match on 11 March 2024, a Serie A fixture against Lazio in which he was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute while Udinese led 2-1. 

Betting patterns tied to that yellow card triggered the probe: reports indicate that a large number of bets at about 8-to-1 odds were placed that Okoye would receive a caution, mainly from the Udine region, with winnings exceeding €120,000. 

In July 2025, the Italian football disciplinary authorities found Okoye guilty of the lesser charge of illegal betting, thereby handing him a two-month ban, commencing 18 August 2025 (the date of Udinese’s Coppa Italia tie vs. Carrarese) and concluding 19 October 2025.