“I’ve grown”- Okoye reflects on the difficult season Journey

Super Eagles’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, has expressed pride in maintaining his place as Udinese’s first choice, even when the club supports a difficult patch in the series A.

Okoye, who has been one of Udinese’s few points since he returned from an injury in March, accredited the chief coach Kosta Runjaić for the confidence shown in him.

In statements to the official website of the club, the Nigerian international reflected on its growth and experiences since it debuted in the highest category of Italy.

“I’m still the same as when I made my debut in series A against Bologna, but I have certainly learned a lot,” Okoye said.

“The coach has faith in me, and I am grateful to play every week. For me, it is an honor to defend this goal.”

The 25 -year -old also emphasized the importance of perseverance, urging his teammates to stay committed to get the team out of their current struggles.

“To get out of this moment, we have to continue working. We are working well, as we have done throughout the season, and we have to continue pressing and growing together,” he added.

Okoye, who has become a key figure for the Bianconeri, stressed that Udinese should be kept focused to achieve your main ambitions.

The Italian club currently does not come in its last seven league games, but Okoye has had a decent career individually, making 21 appearances and maintaining four clean leaves so far this season.

After missing the qualifiers of the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Nigeria in March, Okoye will wait for their clubs at the club level to recover the Super Eagles team, especially before the Unity Cup tournament scheduled for London next month.

Since Watford left and signed for Udinese, Okoye has seemed revitalized. His time at Sparta Rotterdam had once shown his immense potential, and now seems to be rediscovering that form in Italy.

Although the injuries have limited his campaign, when he is fit, the 25 -year -old has constantly demonstrated why he is still one of Nigeria’s main goalkeepers.

With only a few remaining games in the season, Okoye will hope to finish Udinese to ensure valuable points and strengthen his case for a prominent role in Nigeria’s plans in the future.