Nigeria Players Abroad
Maduka Okoye fit for Udinese’s Coppa Italia tie against Padova
Maduka Okoye has been declared fit and is available for Udinese’s Coppa Italia match against Padova after making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a shoulder injury.
Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic confirmed the Nigeria international could return to the squad for the game, which is being played tonight. Okoye had originally been expected to miss the opening part of the new season after suffering the injury during the club’s pre-season training camp in Lienz, Austria.
The goalkeeper’s return is a boost for Udinese, with Okoye having established himself as one of the team’s most important performers during the previous campaign. His availability gives Runjaic another option for the meeting with Padova, as the club begins its Coppa Italia campaign.
“Okoye and Unai Gomez are available. Goglichidze took a knock in training, nothing serious, but we’re evaluating him for tomorrow (today). Everyone else will be available except Zanoli and Chakvetadze,” Runjaic told the club’s official website.
Okoye resumed training with Udinese after his injury lay-off and has now recovered sufficiently to be considered for selection. The 26-year-old had been expected to spend more time on the sidelines, but his rehabilitation has progressed ahead of schedule.
The former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper played 30 Serie A matches for Udinese last season and also provided one assist. He recorded 10 clean sheets during the campaign, underlining his contribution to a side whose players are commonly known as the Zebras.
Runjaic also provided an update on the rest of his squad ahead of the fixture. Unai Gomez is available, while Goglichidze is being assessed after sustaining a knock in training. The club is not ruling him out, although a decision on his involvement remains to be made.
Zanoli and Chakvetadze are the only players confirmed to be unavailable, according to Runjaic. Everyone else in the squad is expected to be available for the Coppa Italia clash.
Okoye’s inclusion in contention comes after concerns that the shoulder problem could keep him out at the beginning of the season. Instead, the Nigeria international has returned to training in time to give Udinese the possibility of selecting the goalkeeper for their meeting with Padova.
The match will therefore provide a potential early competitive appearance for Okoye following his recovery. His performances last season, when he made 30 league appearances and kept 10 clean sheets, made him one of Udinese’s standout players.
By Adeboye Amosu
