Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye set to return to action after betting ban

Nigeria international Maduka Okoye is set to return to return for his Italian outfit Udinese following the completion of his betting ban.

The 24-year-old received a ban in the European country back in July after being found guilty of illegal betting in the Italian Serie A clash against Lazio in March 2024.

In the said game, Okoye was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute, a card many thought it was deliberate.

Okoye escaped a harsher charge of sporting fraud – which could have ended his career for up to four years – but he was handed a two-month ban starting August 18, 2025.

The former Watford goalkeeper has since then missed seven matches, including league fixtures against Inter Milan and AC Milan, as well as Nigeria’s September World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

Meanwhile, the goalkeeper is expected to be absent for the Super Eagles’ decisive October qualifiers against Lesotho (Oct 10) and Benin (Oct 14).

Okoye’s final game on the sidelines will be Udinese’s Serie A match against Cagliari on October 5.

He will be eligible to return for their trip to Cremonese on October 20, though his comeback may happen in December’s Coppa Italia Round of 16 against Juventus.

For Nigeria, his return in November is timely. The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in December and Okoye is a solid backup behind first-choice Stanley Nwabali.

Udinese, meanwhile, will welcome back his watch between the posts after conceding as many goals as they have scored during his absence