Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye expressed mixed feelings after saving a penalty but ultimately losing to Bologna, vowing to learn from his own mistakes.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was left disheartened by Udinese’s 3-0 Serie A loss to Bologna, stating that although he was happy with his penalty save, the overall result and defensive issues overshadowed his personal feat.
According to a report from Soccernet.ng, Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye expressed disappointment following his side’s 3-0 Serie A loss to Bologna at the Bluenergy Stadium yesterday.
The 26-year-old had recently been left on the bench for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and DR Congo.
The defeat—Udinese’s fifth league loss this season—was secured by a brace from Tommaso Pobega and a 94th-minute strike from Federico Bernadeschi.
Despite the heavy loss, Okoye managed to save a penalty from Riccardo Orsolini earlier in the game. Speaking to AS in quotes revealed by Udinese’s official website, the former Watford goalkeeper admitted his feelings were mixed.
“I’m happy for the penalty save, but not for the match, which we had started well anyway,” the goalkeeper said. He then reflected candidly on his own performance and the team’s defensive struggles. “That’s football: I saved a penalty, but then I made a mistake on the second goal.”
Okoye addressed the need for team-wide improvement, saying, “We have to move on and analyse the good and the least good things we do today… We need to improve on defence. I have to improve first.”
He concluded by emphasizing the need for growth: “Mistakes are part of the game, but we have to reduce them. It’s important to learn from these mistakes.”
Okoye has now played in six consecutive league games since returning from a ban related to a betting scandal but has kept only one clean sheet.