Maduka Okoye faces tough times on and off the pitch

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is enduring a difficult period, both professionally and personally. The 25-year-old Nigerian shot-stopper, currently playing for Udinese in Serie A, has faced back-to-back struggles on the field, conceding three goals in consecutive matches. His latest performance saw Udinese fall 3-2 to Inter Milan in a tightly contested encounter at the San Siro.

Inter secured the victory with a brace from Lautaro Martinez and a goal from Davide Frattesi, despite Udinese’s spirited fightback, which saw goals from Christian Kabasele and Lorenzo Lucca. Okoye, who has been lauded for his agility in goal, was unable to prevent the defeat, marking a challenging start to the season.

However, Okoye’s difficulties extend beyond football. The Nigerian goalkeeper was publicly dumped by his longtime girlfriend, Dutch model Jelicia Westhoff, just hours before the match. In a series of emotional posts on her Instagram stories, the 30-year-old Amsterdam-based model accused Okoye of disrespecting their relationship and their family, announcing that she was “done” with him.

In her statement, Westhoff wrote: “Maduka Okoye. You have no respect for the family you decided to create. And I am done with you. I repeat, I am done with you. I am DONE WITH YOU.” She went on to accuse the Udinese goalkeeper of taking advantage of her kindness, declaring, “We are done. And the whole world can have you. I don’t care.”

Okoye, often dubbed the “most handsome Nigerian footballer alive,” has yet to respond publicly to the breakup or the accusations made by Westhoff. The couple, who have a child together, had been seen as one of the most high-profile relationships in Nigerian football.