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Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has found himself embroiled in yet another off-field controversy, as reports from Italy reveal the Udinese shot-stopper has been penalised for driving an unregistered vehicle without a valid driver’s licence or insurance, Footynaija.com reports.
According to Italian media, the 25-year-old has been fined by authorities for the offence, further denting his image following a series of troubling incidents in recent months.
The latest episode adds to what has been a turbulent 12 months for Okoye, whose career has been overshadowed by controversies off the pitch.
In March 2024, the former Watford goalkeeper was linked to a betting scandal after allegedly placing bets on receiving a yellow card during Udinese’s 2-1 victory over Lazio. Okoye was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute — an incident that has since been under investigation by the Udine Prosecutor’s Office following suspicious betting patterns surrounding the match.
Despite pleading his innocence, the ongoing probe has cast a cloud over his career at a critical point.
Away from the pitch, Okoye’s personal life has also made headlines.
In September 2024, his Dutch model partner Jelicia Westhoff accused him of disrespecting their relationship and her family in a series of social media posts, before retracting her claims and issuing a public apology. Unverified allegations of emotional and physical abuse emerged at the time — allegations which Okoye strongly denied.
Despite the string of controversies, the Nigerian goalkeeper has been named in Eric Chelle’s 39-man provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe this month.
Okoye, who was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations before losing his place after a costly mistake against Tunisia, made his Super Eagles return in a 2-1 defeat to Rwanda last November.
The former Watford goalie is currently recovering from a wrist injury which could stop him from battling for the Super Eagles number one glovesman with Chippa United ace Stanley Nwabali.
