Maduka Okoye returns to Udinese training, eyes August 15 Coppa Italia debut

Maduka Okoye, Nigeria international goalkeeper, has resumed full team training with Serie A side Udinese after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the club’s pre‑season camp in Austria last month. He has not played in any of Udinese’s pre‑season friendlies and is not expected to feature in the upcoming matches against Barcelona and Nottingham Forest, as the club prioritises regaining full match fitness.

Okoye’s fitness is crucial for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, especially with upcoming AFCON qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers on the horizon. His availability at Udinese increases competition for the national team’s goalkeeper spot and gives coach Finidi George a reliable option between the sticks.

Udinese has set Saturday, 15 August, as the target for his Coppa Italia first‑round clash against Padova, assuming no setbacks. Fans should watch his performance in that cup tie as an indicator of his readiness for club and country. Will Okoye be fit enough to claim a starting role for the Super Eagles in the September internationals?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/07/serie-a-okoye-hands-udinese-injury-boost-ahead-new-season/