Okoye returned to action after a recent injury sustained on international duty.

 The 26-year-old featured in Nigeria national football team’s 2–1 win over Iran national football team but was later withdrawn from the squad ahead of the 2–2 draw against Jordan national football team after picking up a thigh issue in training.

Ahead of the game, Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaić confirmed that the team trained with a near-full squad on Saturday for the first time since the international break.

Okoye has been central to Udinese’s resurgence this season, recording seven clean sheets in 23 appearances and maintaining a 71.4 per cent save rate.