Okoye explains Parma penalty save in MOTM outing

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has described his penalty save against Parma as “pure instinct” after helping Udinese end their six-match losing streak with a 0-0 draw in Serie A on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigerian denied Adrián Bernabé from the spot in the 69th minute at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, earning the Man of the Match award and securing a valuable point for his side.

Speaking after the match, Okoye said Udinese had wanted to win but were satisfied with the result as they turned their attention to their next fixture.

“We always want to win, and we need points. Today we got one, and that’s fine. Now we’re immediately focusing on the next one,” he said, according to the club’s official website.

Reflecting on his decisive intervention, the 26-year-old attributed the save to instinct while acknowledging the team’s struggles in recent matches and the absence of key players.

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“The penalty save was pure instinct. We’ve been unlucky in these games, and we’ve also been missing players like Zaniolo, whose importance we saw today,” he added.

Zaniolo, who was among the players Okoye said Udinese had missed, praised the goalkeeper for his contribution, describing him as a fantastic shot-stopper and crediting him with helping the team secure a valuable away point.

“It’s not the first time Maduka has saved us. I love him; he’s a good person and a fantastic goalkeeper. Today, thanks to him, we broke our losing streak and got a point away from home that moves us up the table. Now we have to focus on Roma,” Zaniolo told Udinese’s official website.

The clean sheet was Okoye’s first in Serie A this season. Before the encounter, he had conceded 18 goals in nine league appearances and gone eight consecutive matches without keeping a clean sheet.

Udinese will now turn their attention to their next league fixture against Roma as they look to build on the draw.