Nigerian international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has expressed his delight after returning to action for Udinese following a two-month suspension linked to an alleged betting scandal.
The 26-year-old made his comeback in Udinese’s 1-1 Serie A draw against Cremonese on Monday night — his first appearance of the season after being sidelined since August.
Taking to Instagram to celebrate his return, Okoye shared an emotional message reflecting on his journey back to football.
“Happy to be back, back to doing what I love most,” he wrote. “Back to fighting alongside my teammates, back to doing what I’ve been doing since I was a young boy. Back to following the path my father fought for, back to having fun, back to chasing dreams, back to doing what I’ll die for.”
The Nigerian shot-stopper’s suspension had sparked speculation about his future at Udinese, but his return signals renewed confidence from the club and coaching staff.
Okoye’s strong display between the posts against Cremonese has also reignited hopes of his recall to the Super Eagles ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash against Gabon.
Once one of Europe’s most promising goalkeepers, Okoye’s comeback marks an important step in rebuilding his reputation and career momentum after a difficult spell off the pitch.
