Super Eagles star Okoye up for Serie A award after record display and legal case clearance

Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been nominated for the Serie A Player of the Month award for May 2026 after a strong run of performances for Udinese Calcio, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 26-year-old has become one of the standout goalkeepers in Italy this season, combining sharp shot-stopping form with consistency at a crucial stage of the campaign. His nomination also comes after a difficult start to the season, both on and off the pitch, making his rise even more notable.

Okoye’s season has been built on solid defensive numbers and big-match saves. He has kept 10 clean sheets in 28 Serie A appearances, a milestone that places him in rare company among Nigerian goalkeepers in Europe’s top leagues. The last Nigerian to reach double-digit clean sheets in one of Europe’s top five leagues was former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in the 2014/15 season.

Okoye’s presence has helped stabilise the Udinese’s back line. His reflex saves and command of the penalty area have played a major role in keeping the club in a safe mid-table position. Udinese are currently sitting around 10th in Serie A, far away from relegation danger.

His form has also placed him among the leading goalkeepers in Italy this season. The Player of the Month nomination comes after Okoye kept clean sheets in both of Udinese’s matches this May; similar 2-0 wins against Torino and Cagliari.

Okoye’s legal clearance

Okoye’s season had earlier been disrupted by a legal investigation in Udine linked to alleged betting-related fraud. The Super Eagles goalkeeper received a two-month ban at the start of the campaign for his involvement in the illegal betting case.

The case was officially dropped by an Italian court after the complainant, betting operator Snaitech, withdrew its complaint this month. Judge Paolo Lauteri accepted the withdrawal during a pre-trial hearing, bringing the matter to a close and clearing the Nigerian international of wrongdoing.

The case had a direct impact on his season. Okoye missed six Serie A matches at the start of the campaign, sitting out games against Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Pisa, AC Milan, Sassuolo and Cagliari. The pressure and uncertainty affected his early rhythm, but he returned in October 2025 and quickly regained form, showing strong focus and improved performances.

Since his return, Okoye has re-established himself as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper and a reliable figure in goal. His strong form has also boosted his standing with Nigeria’s Super Eagles. With competition for the number one shirt involving Stanley Nwabali, Okoye’s return to top form gives coach Eric Chelle another strong option ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs in November.

The Player of the Month winner in Serie A will be announced later in May, with Okoye competing against several top performers from across Italy’s top flight.

The former Watford shot-stopper will have a chance to boost his chances of winning the award when Udinese face Cremonese on Sunday.