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Tag: Maduka Okoye

  • Serie A: Torino eyes Super Eagles goalie, Maduka Okoye

    Serie A: Torino eyes Super Eagles goalie, Maduka Okoye

    Serie A side Torino are eyeing Nigerian goalie, Maduka Okoye.

    However, Okoye’s current clubside, Udinese have  rejected Torino’s bid to sign Nigeriangoalkeeper,

    According to Italian transfer expert, Alfredo Pedula, Udinese are not willing to entertain any offer for the shot stopper.

    Recall that Okoye was linked with a move to Serie A champions, Inter Milan earlier in the summer.

    The 24-year-old established himself as Udinese’s first choice goalkeeper in the second half of last season.

    The Sparta Rotterdam goalie joined the Zebras from Watford last summer.

    Okoye has three years remaining on his contract.

    He was in goal in Udinese’s Coppa Italia 4-0 win over Avellino on Friday night.

  • I regret my mistake that led to Nigeria’s elimination from 2022 AFCON – Maduka Okoye

    I regret my mistake that led to Nigeria’s elimination from 2022 AFCON – Maduka Okoye

    Maduka Okoye, Super Eagles goalkeeper has revealed that he regrets his error that cost the national team in the round of 16 at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Recall that the Super Eagles  under the tutelage of  Augustine Eguavoen, enjoyed a fine start to the tournament, gliding past Egypt, Guinea Bissau, and Sudan with ease scooping 9 points from possible 9.

    This gave fans hope of the Eagles going all the way to claim a fourth AFCON title.

    However, they were defeated by Tunisia, who were struggling with injuries in the next round.

    Okoye misjudged a shot from Youssef Msakni, with the ball creeping past him and went into the net.

    Alex Iwobi also got sent off seven minutes after he was brought on, resulting in outrage on social media.

    It was the last time Okoye played for Nigeria, as he either was not called up or he watched from the bench.

    In an interview with Oma, Okoye opened up on the incident.

    He said: “At that moment, I told myself I should have done better. It pains me till today, to be honest.

    “You could see it was a mistake because I had to keep the ball out of the goal. If I want to play at Inter Milan, then I have to do better in such situations.

    “I’ve been training hard, improving in the last two years because I don’t want things like that to happen again.

    “Mistakes happen, last week, Manuel Neuer, who is one of the best, made a mistake. It’s part of the game, and it was hard for me as a young boy to go through it after it happened.

    “I’m not just talking about what I read on social media, it’s more about the feeling of letting your teammates down, your family down, and letting your country down.

    “At this stage, I’m not even reading the nonsense on social media anymore. Some people still talk bad about Cristiano Ronaldo despite his achievements.

    “People will always say something bad about you. I know myself that I didn’t do good in that situation, and I know that I let my teammates and my country down in that situation.

    “And I’m still to this day unhappy and sad about it, and I wish I could do differently, but it happened and I learned from my mistake.”

  • Serie A: Torino, Inter Milan eye Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye

    Serie A: Torino, Inter Milan eye Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has caught the eyes of Italian sides Torino and Inter Milan.

    Okoye was previously linked with Serie A champions Inter Milan but another Serie A rival Torino has joined the race

    According to mondoudinese, Torino are preparing for the departure of Vanja Milinkovic- Savic, who is set to leave the club this summer.

    The Turin club have identified the Nigerian as possible replacement for the departing goalkeeper.

    The 24-year-old was one of the key performers for Udinese last season, helping the Zebras maintain their top-flight status.

    The former Sparta Rotterdam goalie made 21 league appearances and kept five clean sheets.

    He has three years remaining on his contract.

  • 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Okoye on way to Uyo to complete roll in Eagles’ camp

    2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Okoye on way to Uyo to complete roll in Eagles’ camp

    A challenging logistics planning for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and South Africa would finally be overcome by Wednesday evening, with the expected arrival of Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, the South African delegation and the match officials in the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    Italy-based Okoye was the only invited player not in camp for lunch on Wednesday, but was already in Nigeria and booked for a flight out of the Federal Capital.

    Majority of the match officials were also booked for flights out of the Federal Capital, with only referee assessor Ahmed Sayed Abou Elela from Egypt due to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday.

    As at the time of this report, the South African delegation was on a chartered aircraft bound for Lagos, due to arrive at 3.30pm. Delegation members have been scheduled to alight from the aircraft and complete immigration formalities in Lagos before boarding the chartered jet again for the 45-minute flight to Uyo, to arrive on Wednesday evening.

    The nationwide industrial action that began on Monday threw general planning for the big match off-gear, and the Nigeria Football Federation had to opt for chartered jet-arrangements to get players stranded in Lagos and Abuja down to the Akwa Ibom State capital.

  • 2026 WCQ: Stanley Nwabali speaks on Maduka Okoye’s return, rivalry

    2026 WCQ: Stanley Nwabali speaks on Maduka Okoye’s return, rivalry

    Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has reacted to insinuations that there is a big rivalry between him and Udinese of Italy goalie, Stanley Nwabali.

    According to Nwabali  there is no rivalry between them.

    Nwabali was drafted into the Super Eagles squad at the time the team had goalkeeping crisis and pundits said he proved himself at 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire.

    However, Okoye has been recalled to the team by head coach Finidi George after an impressive debut season at Serie A club Udinese.

    It’s believed that Okoye’s return will add competition to the goalkeeping department of the Super Eagles.

    Nwabali, however, said there is no rivalry between him and the former Watford shot-stopper

    “There’s no debate. If Maduka can give what he’s giving Udinese to the country, then he should play,” Nwabali told Lagos Talks.

    “It’s not like a club side, where you see a new signing and you talk about fighting, No. This is the country we are playing for, we are representing this green white green, and we want to see everyone happy.”

  • Udinese goalie, Maduka Okoye eyes super Eagles return

    Udinese goalie, Maduka Okoye eyes super Eagles return

    Maduka Okoye, Super Eagles goalkeeper has expressed his desire to return to the Super Eagles after missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast.

    The Udinese  first choice goalie was in goal for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the 2021 AFCON held in Cameroon.

    .Okoye has not featured for Nigeria since committing an error in the Round of 16 clash against Tunisia at the 2021 AFCON which led to the Super Eagles’ exit from the tournament.

    Speaking to the Udinese official website in a recent interview, Okoye admitted it was hard for him to watch the 2022 AFCON from home.

    “I am very well now. I feel 100 percent. The national team is an important thing for me and I want to return as soon as possible,” Okoye said.

    “It was hard watching the Africa Cup of Nations from home, but this is football.”

    If Okoye is recalled to the national team he would have Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, Olorunleke Ojo to contend with.

    The Super Eagles return to action in March international friendly window against the Argentine national team.

    The match is slated to hold in the United States of America.

  • 2026 World Cup Race: Peseiro calls Simon, Iheanacho, Omeruo, 20 others for Crocodiles, Warriors

    2026 World Cup Race: Peseiro calls Simon, Iheanacho, Omeruo, 20 others for Crocodiles, Warriors

    Head Coach Jose Santos Peseiro has invited goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi among a list of 23 players for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

     

    There are also goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.

     

    Defender Jamilu Collins makes a return after a long lay-off due to injury, and there is a first-ever call for Bayer Leverkusen of Germany forward Nathan Tella. Spain-based striker Sadiq Umar also makes a return after a long absence.

     

    The Super Eagles kick-start their race to the huge houseparty in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada in 2026 with a session against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo next week Thursday, and then fly to Rwanda for a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Monday, 20th November.

     

    The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium, located in the city of Butare which is 135 kilometres south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, has an artificial turf. 

     

    Zimbabwe has adopted Rwanda as home for the qualifiers as no stadium in the southern African nation has been deemed fit to host the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

     

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

     

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)

     

    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)

     

    Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

     

    Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

  • Serie A: Super Eagles goalie, Okoye excited at making Udinese debut

    Serie A: Super Eagles goalie, Okoye excited at making Udinese debut

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, is in joyous mood after making his debut for Udinese in their 2-1 home loss to Cagliari in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia round of 32 clash.

    The clash against Cagliari was the first game for the goalie in 14 months.

    The 24-year-old joined the Italian side from Watford but had to wait three months before getting his chance to play.

    Okoye made eight saves during the encounter and was rated Udinese’s best player despite conceding a late equaliser which forced the game to extra time.

    The former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper also made 73 per cent pass accuracy from the 38 touches he made.

    Despite the loss, Okoye was delighted with his teammates’ display.

    “It was unfortunate but I think that in recent times we have been developing a good mentality, offensive and pattern,” Okoye said.

    “I thank the club for giving me this opportunity to play, I will learn from this experience. It’s been a long time since I saw the pitch, I also thank the fans. I’m sure I will enjoy playing for this shirt.”

    “I think we pushed hard, some of us have waited a long time for this moment. We wanted to play and win, it’s difficult to finish like this because we conceded goals in the last minute. I would have been ready to face penalties but unfortunately, we didn’t get there,” the goalkeeper added.

    However, the goalie is full of confidence that his serie A debut will come anytime soon for Udinese.

    Okoye has missed out on  many Super Eagles games and will be full of hopes that coach peseiro will extend invitation to him for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe later this month.

     

  • Serie A: Super Eagles Goalie, Maduka Okoye Joins Udinese From Watford

    Serie A: Super Eagles Goalie, Maduka Okoye Joins Udinese From Watford

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has joined Italian Serie A club Udinese on a four-year deal.

    The Italian clubside, Udinese confirmed Okoye’s signing from Watford via an official statement on their website on Thursday.

    According to the statement made available on their website, Okoye’s contract runs until 30 June 2027.

    “As a goalkeeper with a real physical presence and impressive technique, Okoye already has international experience with Nigeria under his belt as well as playing time in the Championship and the Eredivisie,” the Serie A club wrote.

    Okoye, 23, has found playing time difficult to come by in the past eighteen months in England and will hope his fortune change in Udine where his friend and international teammate William Troost-Ekong once played.

    The Super Eagles star featured only twice for Watford last season, starting a match apiece in the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup but was largely third choice to Daniel Bachmann and Ben Hamer.

    Okoye was born in Dusseldorf, Germany into a Nigerian family on 28 August 1999, going on to join the Bayer Leverkusen youth ranks, where he stayed until he made the move to Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2017.

    His debut season with the club saw him make 13 appearances for the under-19s and five for the second tier in the fourth tier of the German football pyramid.

    The following year, he became a stable part of the second team, featuring in 15 matches and training with the first team on a regular basis.

    In 2019/20, his 14 appearances for Fortuna’s second team earnt him a move to Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam, where he played 29 games in all competitions in 2020/21, before going up to 31 matches the following season.

    Watford then swooped for the goalkeeper where he spent the 2022/23 campaign. Okoye has 16 senior Nigeria caps to his name, with his debut coming back in 2019 in a friendly against Brazil.

    “The shotstopper is set to wear the number 40 jersey for Udinese. Welcome to the club, Maduka!,” Udinese wrote on its official website.

    Watford also took to their website to confirm the permanent departure of Okoye to Udinese.

    “The 23-year-old initially signed for the Hornets in January 2022 before joining up with the squad ahead of the 2022/23 season,” Watford wrote.

    Okoye has 16 senior Nigeria caps to his name, with his debut coming back in 2019 in a friendly against Brazil and his last appearance against Tunisia in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 match in Garoua last February.

  • Super Eagles goalie Maduka Okoye loses debut game with Watford

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, started on a losing note on his debut game for his new club Watford FC of England.

    The Hornets  were beaten 3-1 by Cambridge United at the club’s London Colney training ground in a pre-season friendly game.

    His Super Eagles teammates , Emmaunel Dennis and William Troost-Ekong did not feature in the encounter.

    Okoye was beaten in the 16th minute when Harvey Knibbs received the ball on the edge of the box and scored with an angled shot into the bottom corner.

    The 22-year-old was among the  eight changes Edwards made at the break, including pairing Joao Pedro with Kwadwo Baah up front.

    Okoye was subbed out and replaced by reserve goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann who went on to concede two goals in the game.

    Northern Ireland U-21 international midfielder JJ McKiernan, who moved to Vicarage Road from Andover Town in 2018, was introduced as was defender Mattie Pollock.

    Watford’s next friendly game is against Bolton Wanderers which comes up on Tuesday, July 12.

    Meanwhile, other pre-season friendly games lined up for the Hornets are Wycombe Wanderers, Millwall and Southampton.

    Watford are relegated and will do business in the lower division of English football for the season 2022/2023 with the hopes of gaining promotion back  to the EPL.