Maduka Okoye: Super Eagles goalkeeper reveals his career idol

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed that the goalkeeper he looks up to is AC Milan and Brazilian legendary goalkeeper Dida, Afrik Foot reports.

After a torrid time in England with Watford in 2022, the 26-year-old joined Udinese in the summer of 2023.

While he was a backup when he initially joined, he’s done well to solidify his starting point for the Bianconeri and has played 70 games for Udinese.

Maduka Okoye names Dida as his career idol

The German-born Nigerian revealed he tries to model his game after the two-time UEFA Champions League winner.

“My idol is Dida, which I have never met in person but I heard him on call. From him I would take a lot of things, it was very fast,” the former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper said in quotes revealed by Tutto Mercato.

“He had personality on the field. I also talk a lot, it’s important that the goalkeeper gives directions.

“De Gea is another legend, a monster. Then I have Osimhen’s T-shirt, he’s very strong. Leaving the quality alone, he brings to the field an energy that no one brings. He’s a special player.

“Then there’s Samardzic, he’s very strong too. The strongest I’d like to swap the shirt with? Cristiano Ronaldo and Ter Stegen. My top 3 goalkeepers are Ter Stegen, Courtois and Donnarumma: he is the strongest right now.

Quizzed about which teams he likes to watch outside of Udinese, Okoye mentioned that he still supports the German teams where he developed as a young goalkeeper.

“I watch a lot of football, in addition to Serie A I like the Bundesliga and the Premier League.

“I cheer Fortuna Düsseldorf, Bayer Lekerkusen and Mönchengladbach,” Maduka Okoye concluded.

The 1.97m tall goalkeeper has been tipped to start for Nigeria in their upcoming friendly games against Iran and Jordan, considering Stanley Nwabali’s absence.