Exclusive: Idah and Sodje Divide Opinion on Okoye’s Super Eagles and Udinese Performances

Despite his excellent form for Udinese in the Italian Serie A, former Nigerian international Peterside Idah has cast doubt on Maduka Okoye’s suitability to be the Super Eagles' first-choice goalkeeper.

This season, Okoye has established himself as one of Serie A's standout players, ranking fourth in the league for most saves. The 26-year-old is among the most inform goalkeepers in the Italian Serie A this season after registering 42 saves in 14 matches.

The former Watford safe hand is only behind Torino’s Vanja Milinković-Savić (50 saves), Lecce’s Wladimiro Falcone (47), and Parma’s Zion Suzuki (44) on the list of the goalkeepers with most saves, including penalty save and multiple key stops.

His statistics also, placed him ahead of established names like Verona’s Lorenzo Montipò and Fiorentina’s David de Gea. During Udinese's weekend defeat at home against Genoa, Okoye impressed by denying the visiyors several goal-bound efforts, including a powerful Andrea Pinamonti free kick.

Okoye’s quick reflexes and sharp decision-making have made him indispensable for Udinese, who are battling to improve their standing in Serie A.

Contrasting Form for Club and Country

While Okoye excels at the club level, his performances for the Nigerian national team have drawn widespread criticism.

Speaking to SportsBoom.com, Idah acknowledged Okoye’s talent but raised concerns about his ability to handle the unique pressures of playing for the Super Eagles. "Maduka Okoye has proven his abilities as a goalkeeper in Italy and the Netherlands. He's very fast, and I think he can still do better," Idah said.

"But playing for the Super Eagles comes with immense pressure. Representing Nigeria is vastly different from playing for clubs in places like Udinese or Rotherham."

Idah stated that the psychological demands of representing Nigeria, suggesting that Okoye has struggled to meet these expectations.

"The weight of national expectations requires strong mental readiness, which seems to have been a challenge for Okoye," the former Maroka Swallows goalkeeper explained.

Idah, who won silver with Super Eagles during 2000 AFCON also referenced Okoye’s decision to step away from the national team in the past due to psychological reasons.

"This was evident a few years ago when he stepped away from the national team, citing psychological unpreparedness," Idah added.

Criticism vs. Support

Okoye’s performances for the Super Eagles have been marked by high-profile errors, which have often overshadowed his potential. However, not everyone believes the criticism he has received is justified.

Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje offered a different perspective, defending Okoye against what he described as unfair treatment.

Speaking in a separate interview with SportsBoom.com, Sodje pointed to the team’s recent 1-2 home loss to Rwanda in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November as an example of misplaced blame.

The former Reading defender opined that the defenders on numerous occasions let the goalkeeper down. "Mistakes are part of the game, and not all goals conceded can be attributed to the goalkeeper," Sodje remarked.

"Goalkeeper have often been left exposed due to a lack of effort from other players on the field. This was particularly evident in the recent match against Rwanda, where the team’s overall attitude was disappointing."

Sodje also argued that Okoye played for the price for the team’s poor attitude from players and tactical set up. "Improving discipline and teamwork will be key to achieving better results in the future," he said.

Okoye’s Rising Value

Despite the criticisms at the international level, Okoye’s performances at Udinese have earned him recognition as one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe.

After becoming Udinese’s first-choice keeper last season, he played a critical role in helping the team avoid relegation. His heroics attracted interest from top clubs, including Inter Milan, prompting Udinese to extend his contract with a reported €10.5 million release clause.

Okoye is now the second most valuable African goalkeeper, trailing only Manchester United’s André Onana (€35 million). He ranks above Morocco’s Bono (€9 million) and Senegal’s Edouard Mendy (€8 million), underscoring his growing reputation.

Challenges Ahead

While Okoye continues to shine in Serie A, his national team struggles highlight a broader conversation about mental toughness and expectations.

Idah believes that Okoye must decide where his focus lies. "The question now is whether he is fully committed to improving his performance for Nigeria or prefers to focus solely on his club career," Idah stated.

On the other hand, Sodje insists the team must do more to shield its goalkeeper. "Okoye cannot succeed alone; the entire team needs to step up," he said.

Udinese’s Next Test

Okoye is expected to be in goal when Udinese travels to Monza on Monday, December 9, 2024. Udinese, who are winless in their last five matches, will be looking to turn their season around.

As Okoye prepares for the next chapter of his club career, his role with the Super Eagles remains a point of contention among fans and analysts.

Will he rise to the challenge and establish himself as Nigeria’s undisputed number one, or will his international struggles continue to overshadow his club success?

Conclusion

Maduka Okoye's journey as a goalkeeper is emblematic of the balance between club achievements and national team expectations.

While his talent is undeniable, the debate over his mental readiness for the Super Eagles underscores the unique pressures that come with representing Nigeria. As he continues to grow, both his supporters and critics will be watching closely.