Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, played a key role in Udinese’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cagliari in their Serie A showdown, helping the Zebras secure all three points on the road.
Cagliari came out firing early in the match, with Roberto Piccoli drawing a save from Okoye before missing the target moments later.
But the hosts’ wastefulness came back to haunt them when Oier Zarraga converted Rui Modesto’s precise cross, putting the visitors ahead before the 30-minute mark and quieting the Sardinian faithful.
The home side didn’t take long to respond. Just minutes later, Nadir Zortea leveled the score with a composed finish after Antoine Makoumbou sliced through Udinese’s backline with a clever pass. The match went into the break evenly poised at 1-1.
The second half saw both teams pressing for a breakthrough, with opportunities falling to Zito Luvumbo and Zarraga. But it was Udinese who found the edge once more.
Thomas Kristensen restored the lead, forcing the ball over the line with his torso from close range following a goalmouth scramble during a corner kick.
Despite a late push from Cagliari in search of another equalizer, Okoye and his Udinese teammates stood tall to seal an important win.
