'I started out as a striker' - Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye reveals ahead of Unity Cup

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed a surprising twist in his early football journey, disclosing that he started his career as a striker before making the switch to goalkeeping.

The 25-year-old made the revelation while speaking to fans of Udinese, ahead of the final game of the campaign against Fiorentina at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday.

Okoye, who has been in scintillating form for the Italian club, was named in Nigeria’s 26-man squad for the Unity Cup tournament - as well as the international friendly against Russia.

Since joining Udinese from Watford, the shot-stopper has rediscovered his fine form, keeping ten clean sheets in 47 appearances across all competitions – performances that earned him a recall to the national team.

Speaking to fans in a club-organized chat, Okoye shared insight into how he became a goalkeeper, despite beginning his career as a striker at youth level.

"I started out as a striker, then in the winter, our goalkeeper didn’t want to be in goal anymore because he was cold and so I offered to do it. From then on I never left the goal,” Okoye was quoted as saying by Udinese's official website.

The Düsseldorf-born goalkeeper also explained the significance of his shirt number, 40, at Udinese. "40 is the postal code of Dusseldorf, the city where I was born and raised," he said.

Okoye also highlighted a memorable moment in his stint at Udinese so far – a crucial double save against Cagliari in the Coppa Italia, which he described as his standout performance in Italian football.

"The double save in my first match against Cagliari, in the Coppa Italia."

The Unity Cup offers Okoye a fresh opportunity to reassert himself as Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper.

Nigeria will face fierce rivals Ghana in the second semi-final on Wednesday, May 28, with the other match pitting Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago.

Adeyemi Adewale

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com