Maduka Okoye returns to action, boosts Super Eagles ahead of World Cup Playoffs
Nigeria’s national team has received a timely boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs with the return of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to Serie A action.
The Udinese shot stopper made his first appearance of the 2025/26 season on Monday, marking his 47th start in 47 matches since debuting for the club in December 2023.
Okoye’s comeback follows a two month suspension handed down by Italian football authorities for betting related offenses.
The ban stemmed from a March 2024 incident in a match against Lazio, where suspicious betting patterns were linked to a yellow card he received for time wasting.
Though cleared of match-fixing, Okoye served the full suspension and has now rejoined Udinese’s starting lineup.
His return is seen as a major relief for Nigerian fans, many of whom have grown increasingly concerned about the form of current first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Once hailed as a hero during Nigeria’s AFCON and World Cup qualifying campaigns, Nwabali has recently shown signs of vulnerability and inconsistency between the posts.
Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic has expressed full confidence in Okoye, stating, ‘He’s trained well and has emerged stronger. We’re happy to have him back and have faith in him’.
With World Cup qualification on the line, Okoye’s experience and composure could prove vital for the Super Eagles as they prepare for crucial fixtures in the coming months.
