Udinese boss delivers verdict on Super Eagles GK Okoye after Serie A award nomination

Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic has delivered a glowing assessment of Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after the Nigerian earned a nomination for the Serie A Player of the Month award, Afrik-Foot reports.

Okoye’s impressive season in Italy has become one of the biggest comeback stories involving a Nigerian player in Europe. After struggling for opportunities during his difficult spell at Watford FC, the 25-year-old has rebuilt his reputation in Serie A with a series of commanding performances for Udinese.

Ahead of Udinese’s meeting with US Cremonese, Runjaic praised Okoye’s growth, mentality and importance to the team’s defensive structure after the goalkeeper recorded 10 league clean sheets this season.

“Okoye’s evolution is clear for all to see. He’s crucial for our defence,” Runjaic told Udinese’s official website. “He has interpreted key moments well and kept us in the game several times.”

The former 1860 Munich coach also admitted he was pleased with how the Nigerian recovered from a difficult beginning to the campaign following his suspension connected to a sports betting investigation.

“I’m very happy with the level he’s performing at. We know how his season started; it’s not easy to prepare without being able to play, but he’s worked hard on himself,” he revealed.

Runjaic explained that the club continued to support Okoye throughout that difficult period, with sporting director Gokhan Inler and Udinese’s goalkeeping coaches maintaining regular contact with the former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper.

“Overall, we’re working hard with him; İnler talks to him often, the goalkeeping coaches work hard with him; he’s maturing,” he added.

“Every player needs a different period to mature and reach their level. Now he’s playing calmly, focused, and always mentally present, both in matches and in training.”

Okoye’s Serie A numbers show major Udinese improvement

Okoye’s performances this season points to why he has become one of the most valuable goalkeepers in Serie A. In 28 league appearances during the 2025-26 campaign, he has kept 10 clean sheets, conceded 35 goals and maintained a strong 70.9 percent save rate.

That clean-sheet record is particularly significant because it makes him the first Nigerian goalkeeper since Vincent Enyeama at Lille OSC 11 years ago to reach double figures for clean sheets in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

His distribution has also become a major weapon for Udinese, with the goalkeeper completing more than 530 passes this season while regularly launching counter-attacks with accurate long balls.

Runjaic believes the Nigerian has now developed into the player the club always expected him to become.

“I’m seeing the Maduka I want to see, and I hope he puts in two great performances in his last two games as well,” the Udinese boss said.

“If his stats are good, the whole team’s are good too. I’m happy with the moment he’s going through; he’s a good guy, calm, introverted, and he’s also worked hard on his past.

“We’re talking about young players; mistakes happen at this age. We continued to support him, and then he was able to get out of a tough situation on his own. It was a complicated situation, but he’s providing excellent performances. He’s doing very well and must continue like this.”

Okoye has been nominated for the Serie A Player of the Month for May, the only goalkeeper in a field that includes Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez and Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović, among others.