After months away from competitive football for suspension over Illegal betting activities, Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, on Monday night return to duty post in Udinese’s 1-1 Serie A draw against Cremonese with a statement performance. With the three-time African champions’ first choice safe hands, Stanley Nwabali recent on and off field erratic behavior which was attributed to an unavailability of a suitable rivalry, Okoye’s return is seen as a welcome development. However, with the Super Eagles tight schedule in the coming months, will Okoye ever hear the sound of the cock crow at dawn.

Okoye Maduka, Monday night, returned to competitive football after months away due to suspension for illegal betting activities, a sanction that threatened to derail the career momentum he had meticulously rebuilt. His last appearance between the post was on May 25, in Serie A encounter between Udinese and Fiorentina.

Shedding light on the decision to restore the 25-year-old to the starting line-up for Monday evening’s Serie A encounter against US Cremonese, Udinese group technical director Gianluca Nani, said the Nigerian had been in outstanding form during training in the build-up to the fixture.

“Okoye has trained really well in recent weeks; it was almost impossible to score against him in training,” Nani told DAZN, via Tutto Udinese. 

“We’re really happy he’s back because he’s our starting goalkeeper and there were never any doubts. But I want to thank whoever replaced him, who did very well.”

Indeed, his commanding performance between the sticks proved decisive in ensuring Udinese avoided defeat against Cremonese on Monday night.

After Nicolò Zaniolo cancelled out Filippo Terracciano’s early strike, Jamie Vardy was presented with a golden opportunity to put Cremonese ahead, only to be denied from close range by the Super Eagles goalkeeper.

Okoye’s assured display may not have gone unnoticed by Nigeria coach, Eric Chelle, who is expected to announce his squad in the coming days for next month’s crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon in Morocco.

The former Watford shot-stopper earned his first appearance under Chelle in a friendly against Russia in June 2025.

However, the competition in Nigeria’s goalkeeping ranks has intensified, with Stanley Nwabali’s consistency and Adeleye’s rise, but Okoye’s blend of experience, agility, and technical refinement may give him an edge if he maintains form.

Nwabali had, in recent time, been involved in some incidents with his teammates during the last World Cup qualifiers in Uyo, as he was seen pushing stand-in captain, Wilfred Ndidi, while he was trying to calm him down after a confrontation with a Benin Republic player. While he was also involved in a serious argument with Fulham defender, Calvin Bassey after the halftime whistle.

There have been criticisms against the Chippa United shot stopper and some of his antics, especially after his mistakes in a 2-1 win over Lesotho, culminating in calls from some quarters that he should be dropped for the match against Benin but Chelle kept faith with him.

Interestingly, former Nigeria international goalkeeper, Alloy Agu has called for stronger competition in Nigeria’s goalkeeping department, insisting that current first-choice, Nwabali will only reach his full potential if challenged by equally talented goalkeepers.

Speaking exclusively to Soccernet.ng, the former Kayserispor shot-stopper commended Nwabali’s progress since breaking into the Super Eagles setup but noted that the team must do more to support him as Nigeria continues its quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Agu believes that while Nwabali has shown promise, there are still technical and psychological areas the goalkeeper can improve on.

He emphasized that criticism should be constructive and aimed at helping the player grow and strengthen the national team.

“Well, number one, Stanley (Nwabali) has done well and he has kept the hope of Nigerians higher. But, like you said, there are some things that need to be pointed out, and that means also to help him and to help the team,” Agu said.

“I think I’m not going to, I don’t want to expose or talk about my goalkeeper, my player. I’ve never been a fan of that. But what I can just say is that there is room for improvement. We must look at all that he has done, identify areas he needs to improve, and where he needs to continue doing well.

“So, areas he needs to improve, he should improve on them. But for me, I won’t go on air and talk anyhow about the number one goalkeeper of Nigeria. I only have encouragements, and I will encourage him to do well for Nigeria because we are at a crucial stage. We want to qualify for the World Cup, and I believe all things are possible.”

This comment from the former RFC Liège star follows Nwabali’s mixed performances during Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic, where his communication and decision-making were slammed by the fans.

Drawing from his own Super Eagles experience, Agu revealed how healthy rivalry among goalkeepers once elevated Nigeria’s goalkeeping standards, citing the famous competition between Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, and Dele Ayenugba.

“I think Vincent (Enyeama]) had the same thing with Dele Ayenugba and Austin Ejide — and every one of us had that — so it brings out the best in us. We need such competition around him (Nwabali) also,” Agu added.

“I think there is a goalkeeper that is also doing well, John Noble, I think in Tanzania. I’ve watched some of his games and he’s doing well. So, the moment we have capable hands around Nwabali who can give him competition, I think that makes it much easier for the team.

However, how strong Okoye is able to bounce back remains to be seen, as the Düsseldorf-born goalkeeper is definitely running against time.