Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic has challenged Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to learn from his costly mistake against Torino, while insisting the Nigerian has the quality to rank among Serie A’s best shot-stoppers, Footynaija.com reports.
Okoye came under scrutiny after his error contributed to Udinese’s 2-1 defeat to Torino on October 12, extending the club’s losing run to four consecutive league matches.
The 27-year-old was involved in a costly breakdown in communication with defender Nicolo Bertola, allowing Sandro Kulenovic to score what proved to be the winning goal. The setback has increased pressure on Udinese as they prepare to host Lecce on Sunday.
Related Post
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Runjaic confirmed that he had addressed the mistake directly with his goalkeeper but made it clear that he still believes in Okoye’s ability.
“A coach must use clear words with his players and I did on this occasion too,” the Udinese boss said.
“He is well aware that his decision led to us conceding a goal. You make many decisions throughout a match, and that was a bad one.
“If he gives it everything he’s got, Okoye is one of the five top goalkeepers in Serie A.”
The Italian side have struggled to turn their performances into results, with Runjaic pointing to opponents who have defended compactly and punished his team’s mistakes. He stressed that Udinese must improve their concentration and defensive organisation against Lecce.
“We need to find the right balance between calm and tension. Every mistake can have major consequences, so we mustn’t make any,” he said.
“We want our first home win of the season.”
Okoye has been named in Udinese’s starting lineup for Sunday’s encounter, giving him an immediate opportunity to respond to the criticism on the pitch.
With Udinese desperate to halt their losing streak, the Super Eagles goalkeeper will be under pressure to deliver a composed performance and help his side get their campaign back on track.
