Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye warned Udinese starting spot is not guaranteed after costly mistake

Former AC Milan goalkeeping coach Luigi Turci has warned Maduka Okoye that he risks losing his place as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper if he fails to deliver consistent performances, despite backing the Nigerian to start against Lecce.

Okoye has endured a difficult start to the campaign, conceding 13 goals in Udinese’s opening six matches and attracting criticism over his performances between the posts.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper came under further scrutiny after his costly error contributed to Udinese’s defeat to Torino on Monday, prompting coach Kosta Runjaic to publicly question his performance.

Turci believes Okoye should not be dropped simply to punish him for the mistake but insists the 26-year-old must demonstrate that he can be trusted over the long term.

Turci backs Okoye despite Torino blunder

Okoye’s error against Torino proved decisive in the Serie A encounter after he rushed off his line to deal with a long ball and collided with teammate Nicolo Bertola.

The confusion allowed Sandro Kulenović to take advantage and score the goal that handed Torino victory, leaving the Nigerian goalkeeper facing renewed questions about his decision-making.

However, Turci believes dropping a goalkeeper immediately after a mistake would serve little purpose, arguing that maintaining confidence is important when dealing with players in such a demanding position.

“Because after a mistake like that, there’s no point in holding a goalkeeper to punish him,” he told Messaggero Veneto.

Turci consequently backed Okoye to retain his position for Udinese’s next match against Lecce, provided he remains composed.

“Looking at it from the outside, Okoye must have the utmost confidence and be the starting player against Lecce, provided he’s calm, something Brunner and Marcon, who coach him, will evaluate.”

The former goalkeeping coach, however, made clear that his support should not be interpreted as an unconditional endorsement of the Nigerian’s performances.

‘Credit has a deadline’ – warning for Super Eagles goalkeeper

While Turci believes Okoye deserves the opportunity to recover from his mistake, he stressed that the goalkeeper must justify the trust placed in him through improved displays.

He warned that Udinese cannot continue relying on the Nigerian indefinitely if his performances fail to provide the consistency required at the highest level.

“It’s also clear that credit has a deadline, and he has to earn his keep, because if you don’t provide guarantees in the long run, there’s nothing written in the contract that says you can’t be replaced.”

The comments underline the pressure facing Okoye as he attempts to re-establish confidence in his ability to serve as Udinese’s undisputed first choice.

Goalkeepers are often judged harshly for errors because individual mistakes can directly determine results. Okoye’s challenge will be to respond positively and provide the reliability his club expects as the season progresses.

Runjaic’s criticism following the Torino defeat has added to the scrutiny surrounding the Nigerian, who will need to convince the Udinese coaching staff that the setback was an isolated incident rather than part of a worrying pattern.

Contract offers no guarantee of starting role

Okoye joined Udinese from Watford in August 2023 and remains under contract with the Italian club until June 30, 2028.

His long-term agreement, however, does not guarantee him a permanent place in the starting lineup, with Turci emphasising that performances must ultimately determine selection.

The goalkeeper has also attracted attention away from football, with viral dating rumours linking him to prominent models and celebrities. His immediate priority, however, remains addressing concerns about his performances on the pitch.