Maduka Okoye was in inspiring form as his brilliance helped Udinese secure a commendable 1-1 draw at Sassuolo on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The two teams, in poor forms, having won one game apiece in their combined last ten matches, went into the game looking for the win that would boost their attempt at avoiding relegation.
However, they cancelled each other out with Grégoire Defrel’s 41st-minute opening goal for Sassuolo, neutralised by Florian Thauvin’s equaliser three minutes later.
Udinese would have Maduka Okoye to thank, though, for being able to leave the field with a point.
The goalkeeper showed his quality several times, making at least four difficult saves in the 90 minutes of play, a performance that made him one of the best players in the match.
According to Sofascore, the Super Eagles goalkeeper ended the game with a 7.8 rating – the best of any Udinese player inside the MAPEI Stadium.
For the combined Sassuolo-Udinese players, only Sassuolo midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt (7.9) had a better rating than Okoye.
Okoye has kept three clean sheets and conceded 17 goals in 13 Serie A appearances for a Udinese side battling to avoid the drop to Serie B.
While the 24-year-old goalkeeper has become a regular starter at Udinese, he remains on the outside looking inside the Nigeria national team.
Maduka Okoye
The former Sparta Rotterdam goalie missed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, where Chippa United star Stanley Nwabali became Nigeria’s undisputed number one.
Caretaker coach Finidi George also snubbed Okoye for Nigeria’s two friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March despite winning Udinese’s Best Player award for February.
Okoye will look to find favour with the next Super Eagles coach when the Nigeria Football Federation appoints one this month.
NB: Has Maduka Okoye done enough to merit a recall to the Super Eagles? Leave your comments below.
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