‘Okoye not to blame for Udinese struggles’

Udinese goalkeeper Daniele Padelli has defended Nigeria’s Maduka Okoye, insisting the Super Eagles goalkeeper is not to blame for the club’s struggles this season.

Okoye has faced heavy criticism after conceding 25 goals and keeping just one clean sheet in 11 appearances for Udinese, who sit at the bottom of Serie A.

His form has been cited as a factor in his omission from the Super Eagles squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.

Padelli said the goalkeeper had become a scapegoat.

“In these situations, you look for a scapegoat. It has happened to everyone; it happened to me too,” he said on TV 12, as quoted on Udinese’s official website.

“We are trying to build a team identity, not focus on individuals. If they score, you struggle mentally, the spaces open up even more, and you struggle more and more.

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“We are not doing everything poorly. We have created some things, but the ball is now very important. If the team is not playing well, even the individuals struggle.”

Padelli called on his teammates to overcome what he described as a period of mental fragility.

“We need to get out of this moment of mental fragility. We need a breath of fresh air. I think this team is capable of recovering and having a good season. Luckily, we still have time.”

Okoye was left out of Éric Chelle’s squad after arriving late to the Super Eagles’ camp in September, having been involved in Udinese’s third-kit presentation at Milan Fashion Week. Chelle later said he had permitted the engagement but was reportedly unhappy with the lateness.

The goalkeeper, who has 21 caps for Nigeria, will hope to improve his form after the international break under new Udinese manager Javier Zanetti.

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