NIGERIA international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye says he is delighted to be back doing what he loves after returning from a two-month ban over betting irregularities.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the 24-year-old’s comeback continued with a standout performance, even though Udinese suffered a 3-1 defeat to Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.
Okoye, making his third appearance since his suspension was lifted, turned heads with an inspired individual display that earned him the highest match rating of 8.2 by statistics platform Sofascore, ahead of every Juventus player on the pitch.
“I’ve been out for a while, and it’s always difficult to be without football,” Okoye said after the match.
“But the goalkeeping coaches and the players have always helped me. I feel good, I’m happy, I want to grow, and I learn every day.”
Juventus started quickly, with Dusan Vlahovic converting a powerful early penalty. Udinese hit back before the break through Nicolo Zaniolo, who punished a defensive lapse to level the score.
Despite flashes of resilience from the visitors, Juventus surged again in the second half: Federico Gatti headed in to restore the lead
Substitute Kenan Yildiz sealed the victory from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time
Okoye was repeatedly called into action, producing nine impressive saves — five from inside the box — including sharp stops to deny Vlahovic, Lois Openda and Filip Kostić.
His command of the area, quick positioning, and confidence in one-on-one situations drew praise, especially considering his long spell out of action due to suspension.
“We’re not happy about the result, but we know we played well,” he added.
“We’ve made progress this season. The coach is ambitious, and we always want more.”
Okoye has not featured regularly for Nigeria in recent months, but his performances since his return could now put him firmly on the radar of Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle, with crucial 2026 World Cup playoff matches against Gabon coming up next month.
For Okoye, who has endured criticism in the past, particularly after the 2022 AFCON exit, this revival marks a promising upward turn and a chance at full redemption on the global stage.