Runjaic Hails Okoye After 10 Clean Sheets in 28 Serie A Starts — Soccernet

Soccernet: Kosta Runjaic says he is seeing the Maduka Okoye he wants to see, and the Udinese coach wants two more strong outings from his goalkeeper before the season ends. Okoye has started 28 of 36 league games and kept ten clean sheets, a run that arrives just as Nigeria’s squad picture for the Unity Cup sharpens.

Runjaic on Okoye

Runjaic said Okoye’s development is visible to everyone and tied it to the work he has done behind the scenes. "Okoye’s evolution is in everyone’s eyes. It is important for our defensive phase, he interpreted the decisive moments well and he kept us several times in the game" he said ahead of the match against Cremonese.

He added that the goalkeeper’s level has lifted after a difficult start to the season. "I'm very happy with the levels with which he's expressing himself. His season we know how it started, it's not easy to do the preparation without being able to play, but he's worked a lot on himself."

Udinese and Nigeria

The Udinese coach also pointed to the broader work around the 26-year-old, saying he is maturing and staying focused in training and matches. "In general we are working a lot with him, Inler [Gökhan] often talks to him, the goalkeepers' trainers work a lot together with him, he is maturing."

That progress matters beyond Udinese. Eric Chelle’s squad announcement is imminent, and Nigeria’s Unity Cup is set to kick off on May 26. Stanley Nwabali has been without a club since February and was left out during the March international break, which leaves Okoye’s club form in sharper focus.

Two games left for Okoye

Runjaic did not hide the target for the final stretch. "I'm seeing the Maduka I want to see and I hope he puts up two great performances in the last two games as well. If his stats are good, the whole team prospers."

Okoye started against Iran after returning to the lineup, his first appearance since June 2025, but an injury then forced him out of the second game against Jordan. Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye played in his place, so the closing league matches now offer Okoye a direct chance to keep his momentum intact before Nigeria make their call.