Okoye saves penalty, keeps first clean sheet as Udinese end losing streak at Parma

Udinese snapped a six-match Serie A losing streak with a 0-0 draw at Parma on Wednesday night, courtesy of Maduka Okoye's crucial penalty save. The 26-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper denied Adrian Bernabé from the spot in the 69th minute at Stadio Ennio Tardini, securing his first clean sheet of the season.

Okoye had conceded 18 goals in nine league appearances prior to this match, beaten in each of his previous eight outings. The shutout moves Udinese up the table and offers a timely confidence boost for the shot-stopper.

Teammate Nicolò Zaniolo hailed Okoye post-match: "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."

Kosta Runjaic's side now prepares for a tougher test against AS Roma in their next fixture. For Nigerian football followers, Okoye's resilience after a difficult start to the campaign is encouraging—he joins a growing list of Super Eagles goalkeepers proving themselves in top European leagues.

Will Okoye build on this performance against Roma, or was this a one-off reprieve in a season still defined by defensive fragility?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/29/serie-azaniolo-lauds-okoyes-impressive-performance-against-parma/