Maduka Okoye ends club duty with defeat ahead Super Eagles return

Maduka Okoye’s club head into the international break on a disappointing note as Udinese succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Serie A title contenders AS Roma on Sunday evening. 

The Super Eagles goalkeeper, who will now focus on preparing for Nigeria’s crucial FIFA World Cup Playoffs, was unable to keep a clean sheet against a well-organised Roma side.

Under their new manager Gasperini, Roma dominated the match comfortably, scoring one goal in each half to secure the win and leap to the top of the Serie A table. 

Despite the pressure, Okoye showed resilience and skill, making two important saves and a decisive punch to limit the damage. 

He also contributed to his team’s buildup by completing 71% of his passes, demonstrating his command from the back.

However, the quality and strength of the Roma squad proved too much for Udinese to handle in the tense Serie A encounter. 

Okoye’s efforts weren’t enough to prevent the defeat, but his performances remain a positive indicator ahead of his return to the Super Eagles.

With the Serie A season underway and his club duties paused for now, Okoye will be shifting his focus to help Nigeria in their upcoming FIFA World Cup Playoffs against Gabon slated for Thursday. 

His experience against top teams like Roma will be invaluable as he aims to fight off competition from number Stanley Nwabali to guard the net for the Super Eagles in their bid to qualify for the World Cup next year.