Maduka Okoye Wins Udinese Player of the Month Award
Maduka Okoye has won Udinese’s Player of the Month award after his impressive performances for the Italian club this season.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper has enjoyed an excellent campaign in Serie A, becoming one of Udinese’s most important players. The 26-year-old has made 29 league appearances and conceded only 31 goals.
Last week, Okoye recorded his 10th clean sheet of the season. He became the first Nigerian goalkeeper since Vincent Enyeama to keep 10 or more clean sheets in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Enyeama achieved the feat with Lille in 2016.
On Sunday, Udinese lost 1-0 to Cremonese in their final home game of the season at the Bluenergy Stadium. Although Udinese controlled most of the possession, Cremonese created the better chances.
Okoye made three important saves during the match, but could not stop the winning goal.
Before the game, Udinese honoured some of their best players of the season, with Okoye receiving the Player of the Month award for May.
Despite the month not being over, the award was presented because Serie A is entering its final week of the season. Before the defeat to Cremonese, Udinese had won both of their matches in May, with Okoye keeping clean sheets in both games.
It is Okoye’s first Player of the Month award at Udinese and another big achievement in what has been a strong season for the Nigerian goalkeeper.
Udinese will finish their campaign with a difficult away match against Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, where Okoye will hope to end the season on a positive note.
