Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been named in the Serie A Team of the Week following a commanding performance in Udinese Calcio’s 3-0 win over AC Milan.
Maduka Okoye, 26, earned the nod for gameweek 32 after keeping a clean sheet in a composed display that stood out among six goalkeepers who recorded shutouts in the round. His assured presence between the posts helped seal a convincing win for Udinese.
Okoye’s inclusion in the weekly XI sees him join teammates Arthur Atta and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, alongside Robin Gosens, Rafael Obrador, Denzel Dumfries, Scott McTominay, Riccardo Orsolini, Marcus Thuram, Sebastiano Esposito and Donyell Malen.
The recognition demonstrates his growing influence this season. Okoye has now kept eight clean sheets in 24 league appearances and has recorded three consecutive shutouts for the first time since joining Udinese in 2023.
His club form has coincided with a return to the Super Eagles of Nigeria set-up after missing the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He featured in the March international window during a 2-1 friendly win over Iran in Antalya before a thigh injury ruled him out of the 2-2 draw against Jordan.
Despite the setback, Okoye remains focused on cementing his place in the national side.
“I was so pleased to be called up to the national team,” Okoye said on Udinese Tonight, via the club’s official website. “It’s important to me as a player and as a person. I want to return many more times.”
Okoye, who made his debut against Brazil in 2019, now has 19 caps and faces strong competition for the number one shirt. Arthur Okonkwo is impressing at Wrexham AFC, while Stanley Nwabali is expected to return to regular club action.
