Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye experienced a challenging weekend, receiving a straight red card just seven minutes into a Serie A match against Fiorentina on Sunday, December 21, 2025. The dismissal occurred after Okoye’s mistimed challenge on Moise Kean outside the penalty area, leaving Udinese with ten men for the remainder of the game, which ended in a 5–1 defeat.
This incident comes shortly after Okoye’s decision to remain with Udinese during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) instead of joining Nigeria’s national team. Despite being named in the provisional squad, Okoye was omitted from the final 28-man list, with coach Eric Chelle selecting Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, and Amas Obasogie as the team’s goalkeepers.
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh defended Okoye’s choice, emphasizing the importance of consistent playing time for goalkeepers. Oliseh noted that goalkeepers require regular match experience to maintain form and confidence, suggesting that Okoye’s decision was influenced by the desire to secure his starting position at Udinese rather than risk limited playtime at AFCON.
Okoye’s suspension from the red card will see him miss Udinese’s upcoming fixtures, including the match against Lazio on December 27. This period coincides with Nigeria’s participation in the AFCON tournament, meaning Okoye will be sidelined from both club and national team duties during this time.
The timing of these events underscores the complexities athletes face when balancing club commitments with national team responsibilities, particularly in high-stakes tournaments like the AFCON.
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