Okoye injury ‘not a setback’ for long-term progress, says Udinese boss Runjaic

Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic says he is convinced Maduka Okoye can develop into one of Serie A’s outstanding goalkeepers, despite the Nigerian currently being sidelined by injury.

The Super Eagles keeper is recovering after picking up a knock following a standout 2025-26 campaign in which he kept 10 clean sheets and conceded 32 goals in 30 Serie A appearances.

Okoye had endured a difficult start to last season, missing Udinese’s first six league matches through suspension linked to a betting investigation, but he responded strongly once available and finished the year as one of the club’s key performers.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference before Udinese’s pre-season fixture against Mainz on Saturday, Runjaic confirmed the 24-year-old had suffered an injury but stressed the club’s faith in his long-term potential.

“Unfortunately, he got injured,” Runjaic said, quoted by Tuttomercatoweb. “But we saw what he gave at the end of last season.”

Coach backs Nigerian to reach elite level

Runjaic underlined that Udinese view Okoye as central to their plans and believes his displays over the latter part of the previous campaign showed why he can become one of the division’s leading goalkeepers.

“We are confident that he can continue and that he can become one of the strongest goalkeepers in Serie A. Now he needs to get back to fitness,” the Udinese coach added.

Okoye’s immediate objective is to complete his rehabilitation and return to full training, with Runjaic keen to have his first-choice goalkeeper available as soon as possible during pre-season.

The German-born coach will be hoping the Nigerian can quickly rediscover the form that helped stabilise Udinese’s campaign after his early-season absence.

Building on 10th-place finish

Udinese finished 10th in Serie A last season, and Runjaic is aiming to use that mid-table platform as a springboard going into the new campaign.

Okoye’s performances were a significant factor in that top-half position, and his coach is eager to have him back in goal as the team prepare for competitive action.

With the Mainz friendly forming part of Udinese’s build-up, Runjaic’s comments underline both concern over Okoye’s current fitness and optimism about his long-term trajectory in Italy’s top flight.

For now, the focus at the Dacia Arena remains on ensuring the Nigeria international completes his recovery and is ready to play a full part when Udinese begin their 2026-27 Serie A season.