Maduka Okoye: Udinese coach lauds Super Eagles reject after deserved Bologna start

Udinese Calcio manager Gabriele Cioffi has reacted to the performance of Nigeria’s Maduka Okoye against Bologna in the Serie A.

Cioffi has praised Okoye after he made his first league start for the club in the convincing 3-0 demolition of Bologna in the league on Saturday.

A Pulse Sports report noted that the 24-year-old proved his doubters wrong following a strong performance in Udinese’s final game of the year.

Okoye not only inspired the team to an impressive win but also kept a clean sheet in a strong message to Super Eagles manager, Jose Peseiro.

Okoye was left out of the Super Eagles squad of AFCON in Ivory Coast next year by the Portuguese but put behind him the disappointment to impress in his first league start for the White and Blacks. 

The former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper made four saves, including two from inside the box, one clearance and punched one ball to mark an impressive Serie A debut. 

His display in between the sticks and goals from Roberto Pereyra, Lorenzo Lucca, and  Martin Payero ended Udinese’s run of eight matches without a win, claiming just their second win of the season. 

Okoye was handed a rare start after finding game time difficult to come by at his new club, replacing regular starter Marco Silvestri.

The Nigerian went on to put on a show, drawing praise from his manager after the game. 

"Silvestri is a strong goalkeeper, but Okoye deserved to play," Cioffi told Sky Sport Italia after the match.

While Silvestri has been Cioffi's undisputed number one this season, Okoye’s impressive performance against Bologna could see his manager give him more chances. 

With Udinese just three points above relegation, Okoye will be eager to impress, especially now that he won’t be distracted by AFCON.