Maduka Okoye: Photo Credit - Udinese Media.
Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been reflecting on the injury that sidelined him from the Super Eagles and club football.
Okoye’s last appearance for Udinese was in December 1 last year against Genoa before undergoing a wrist surgery the same month, keeping him out of action for close to three months.
The 25-year-old has, however, expressed his delight at returning to competitive football action for Serie A side, Udinese, earning him a provisional invitation to the Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Okoye made his comeback in the Zebra’s 1-1 away draw against Lazio on Monday night.
He said: “I’m very happy, both for me and for the team. We’re all happy and we want to continue like this,” he told the club's official website.
”It was difficult to be out, but now I find a team that has grown in these months. Padelli, like the whole team, helped me a lot, I’m grateful for that. He’s a great goalkeeper and a great person”.
Okoye has made 15 league appearances for Kosta Runjaic’s side this season. Super Eagles manager, Eric Chelle will trim his squad of 39-players this week before the double qualifiers this month.
The three time African champions’ World Cup qualification is hanging by a thin thread as they sit 5th in Group C with 3 points – three behind Rwanda, South Africa and Benin and two adrift Lesotho.
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