Nigeria Players Abroad
Okoye: Udinese goalkeeper proud to compete in ‘one of the best’ leagues
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye says Serie A remains “one of the best leagues in the world” and has spoken of his pride at competing in Italy’s top flight with Udinese.
The Nigeria international made the comments in an interview with The Guardian after recording 10 clean sheets in 30 league appearances for Udinese last season.
Okoye is now targeting an improved finish with the club in the next campaign, while continuing to pursue his ambitions with the Super Eagles. However, he believes Udinese must first establish a strong foundation before setting specific targets.
“Everything is possible,” Okoye told The Guardian.
“But I think we should talk about that again in February or March. First we have to get the basics right and take it game by game. Then we’ll see where we are.
“We certainly have the quality, the players, an excellent staff, and a solid club behind us. Udinese is a club where a player can really grow and make that leap in quality.
“For me, Serie A remains one of the best leagues in the world and I’m grateful to be part of it. The higher the level of the league, the happier and prouder I am to play in it. We’re working hard and can’t wait to compete against the best.”
The 25-year-old also praised Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon for his performances at the FIFA World Cup 2026, particularly during the latter stages of the tournament.
Okoye said Simon’s quality was not defined simply by the number of saves he made. Instead, he highlighted the Spain goalkeeper’s composure, awareness and ability to manage difficult situations during matches.
“I found Spain’s Unai Simon very impressive, especially towards the final stages,” Okoye said.
“Not so much for making hundreds of saves, but for the way he remained inside the game, defending deep balls against France. For me, that was goalkeeping of the highest level.”
Okoye’s assessment reflects his view that modern goalkeeping involves much more than spectacular reactions. Staying focused throughout a match, dealing effectively with balls played behind the defence and making the right decisions under pressure are, in his eyes, essential parts of the position.
His own performances helped Udinese last season, with his 10 clean sheets coming across 30 league appearances. He will now hope to build on that record as the club seeks to push higher in Serie A.
At international level, Okoye remains focused on contributing to the Super Eagles, while his club career continues to develop in a league he considers to be among the world’s strongest.
