Okoye keeps seventh clean sheet in Como draw News

Maduka Okoye increased his tally of clean sheets to seven this season after helping Udinese Calcio secure a goalless draw against high-flying Como 1907 in a Matchday 31 Serie A fixture on Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Okoye made four crucial saves during the encounter at the Bluenergy Stadium to keep his side in the game against Cesc Fàbregas’s team.

Como extended their unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions and remain firmly in contention for a place in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history.

Their intent was clear in the opening 10 minutes, but Okoye stood firm. His first test came from Máximo Perrone, whose effort went straight into his arms, before Nico Paz tried his luck from distance.

The result moves Como four points clear of Juventus FC, their closest rivals in the race for a Champions League spot, although they have played a game more. Udinese, meanwhile, are two points adrift of the top half, having lost just one of their last five matches.

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The 26-year-old featured in Nigeria national football team’s 2–1 win over Iran national football team but was later withdrawn from the squad ahead of the 2–2 draw against Jordan national football team after picking up a thigh issue in training.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