Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye expressed immense pride in his squad following Udinese’s gritty 1-0 victory over AS Roma on Monday night. The “Zebrette” delivered a defensive masterclass at the Bluenergy Stadium, toppling Gian Piero Gasperini’s side to claim three vital points in a high-stakes Serie A battle. The decisive moment arrived just four minutes after the halftime interval when Jurgen Ekkelenkamp unleashed a free kick that took a significant deflection, wrong-footing the Roma defense to find the back of the net.
Okoye played a fundamental role in securing the result, producing a series of high-level saves to deny the visitors an equalizer. His most dramatic contribution occurred in the dying seconds of stoppage time when he executed a full-stretch fingertip save to keep a Gianluca Mancini effort off the goal line. This victory marks Udinese’s second consecutive league win, signaling a strong resurgence for the Bianconeri as they climb to 32 points, effectively pulling level with Lazio for eighth place in the Serie A standings.
Speaking to the club’s media representatives after the match, Okoye emphasized the collective unity that made the upset possible. He noted that the team’s current form reflects the intensive work occurring behind the scenes at the Dacia Arena. The Super Eagles star believes this performance sets a new benchmark for the club, proving they can hold their own against the traditional heavyweights of Italian football while providing a memorable night for the home supporters.
The Nigerian shot-stopper shared his excitement regarding the team’s momentum: “I’m happy to have helped the team today. We put in a great team performance, I’m happy for ourselves and for the fans. We’re working hard, all united, from the players to the staff. We can compete with anyone.”
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