Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has successfully undergone surgery following a wrist injury sustained during club duties in Italy. The operation comes at a crucial moment as the Super Eagles prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March 2025.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for Italian Serie A side Udinese Calcio, suffered the injury during Udinese’s recent league clash against Genoa CFC on Sunday. The club confirmed that Okoye had damaged the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist—a vital ligament for stability and function in the wrist.
Udinese Calcio issued a statement on the matter, reassuring fans of the operation’s success:
“Maduka Okoye underwent surgery to repair the injury to the scapholunate ligament of his right wrist. The operation, performed by Dr. Loris Pegoli at the La Madonnina clinic in Milan, was a complete success. The footballer will begin rehabilitation in the coming weeks.” *
The surgery marks a critical step in Okoye’s recovery process, with rehabilitation expected to follow shortly. While no official recovery timeline has been shared, his rehabilitation progress will be closely monitored by both Udinese and Nigeria’s medical teams.
Okoye’s injury comes on the heels of a challenging few months for Nigeria, most recently reflected in their 2-1 loss to Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on November 18. Okoye, who was in goal during the match, has been a regular feature in the Nigerian squad and remains integral to the team’s ambitions.
The towering goalkeeper, known for his composure and shot-stopping ability, has steadily become one of Nigeria’s key players. With his combination of club experience in Europe and international pedigree, Okoye provides critical leadership at the back—an attribute the Super Eagles will need as they head into a pivotal year.
Okoye first rose to prominence during Nigeria’s 2021 AFCON campaign, where his performances drew widespread acclaim. Since then, his move to Udinese from Sparta Rotterdam has seen him continue to hone his skills in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. However, injuries now pose a challenge to his consistency and availability for Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures.
The timing of Okoye’s injury raises questions over his availability for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where the Super Eagles are set to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in March 2025. The qualifiers are of utmost importance, with Nigeria looking to return to football’s grandest stage after missing out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Nigeria’s head coach and technical staff will be closely monitoring Okoye’s rehabilitation process. While the goalkeeper’s recovery is a priority, the team will need contingency plans should he fail to recover in time. The Super Eagles boast other goalkeeping options, including Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye, but Okoye’s absence would undoubtedly be a significant blow.
At club level, Okoye’s injury also poses a challenge for Udinese Calcio, who are battling to secure their position in the Serie A standings. The Italian club relies on Okoye’s presence to maintain defensive stability, and his absence could disrupt their momentum in a competitive league season.
Udinese are expected to turn to their backup goalkeepers in Okoye’s absence, but the Nigerian’s recovery will be a priority for the club. The successful surgery in Milan and the promise of imminent rehabilitation offer optimism that Okoye could return before the end of the season.
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