Super Eagles Watch: Okoye keeps 3rd clean sheet of the season, Akor, Ejuke score in Spain

Maduka Okoye delivered another commanding performance on Sunday as he kept his third clean sheet of the season to inspire Udinese to a rare 1–0 victory over Napoli at the Bluenergy Stadium – Stadio Friuli.

The result marked Udinese’s first win over the Neapolitans in almost ten years, and it came on a night when the Nigerian goalkeeper once again proved indispensable.

Okoye, who has now made nine consecutive starts since returning from a sports court suspension, was assured throughout the encounter, organizing his defence with authority and producing key interventions when required.

Despite his impressive club form, the 25‑year‑old will not feature in Nigeria’s bid for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title after reportedly opting out of the squad selected by Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.

In Spain, Nigerian forwards Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke were both on target as Sevilla cruised to a 4–0 demolition of Real Oviedo at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

For Akor, who is set to join the Super Eagles for the AFCON 2025 campaign, the goal was his third of the LaLiga season and his first since scoring in early October during Sevilla’s 4–1 win over Barcelona. Ejuke’s strike, meanwhile, was his first league goal of the campaign.

In England, Uche Chrisantus continued his run of substitute appearances for Crystal Palace, coming off the bench for the sixth straight Premier League match in the club’s 3–0 defeat to Manchester City at Selhurst Park.

The forward has now accumulated 57 minutes across those six outings.

At the City Ground, Taiwo Awoniyi was absent from Nottingham City’s matchday squad for the fifth consecutive game, while Ola Aina remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered in early September.

The 29‑year‑old has now missed 13 Premier League matches and was not included in Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad list.