Maduka Okoye brilliant as Sparta Rotterdam edge out Groningen

The Super Eagles goalkeeper did not keep a clean sheet, but he made important saves to help Henk Fraser’s men to a superb win at Groningen

Maduka Okoye gave another assured display in goal as Sparta Rotterdam picked up their 11th win in the Eredivisie this season following a 2-1 victory over Groningen at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion.

Okoye has now established himself as Sparta’s first-choice goalkeeper as the game against Groningen was his 25th appearance in the Dutch top-flight this season.

The 21-year-old, who joined De Kasteelheren last summer, conceded his 34 league goal of the season, but he still played a vital role in the win.

Okoye denied Groningen on two occasions with two smart saves- although he could’ve done better to prevent their goal.

Abdou Harroui put Sparta ahead in the 27th minute before Tom Beugelsdijk doubled the advantage 11 minutes after the break.

Ramon-Pascal Lundqvist pulled one back for the host three minutes from time to set up a nervy finish, but Sparta held on for a vital win.

Joba Ogunwale

Oluwajoba Ogunwale has many years of experience as a sports content writer. The most recent of these was at Opera News, after which he took up the role of Editor-in-Chief at Soccernet.

Share
Published by
Joba Ogunwale

Recent Posts

Aston Villa’s tempting swap deal could see Samuel Chukwueze leave AC Milan for Premier League

Aston Villa are reportedly preparing an ambitious bid to lure Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze away… Read More

32 minutes ago

CHAN qualifiers: Super Eagles coach names three Nigerian stars to watch against Ghana

Super Eagles B coach Daniel Ogunmodede has spotlighted three standout players in his squad as… Read More

1 hour ago

Moses Simon: Nantes confirm fresh injury setback for Super Eagles star – “Operation necessary”

Nigeria international Moses Simon is set for another spell on the sidelines as FC Nantes… Read More

2 hours ago

“Never really clicked”- Ex-Real Madrid coach identifies Samuel Chukwueze as one of AC Milan’s problems

Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has stated that Samuel Chukwueze's failure to hit top… Read More

4 hours ago

Report: Seven-time Europa League champions drop interest in signing Sadiq Umar

Seven-time Europa League champions have reportedly ended their pursuit of Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar… Read More

18 hours ago

FIFA rankings: Nigeria’s Super Eagles end 2024 ahead of Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have ended 2024 ranked as Africa’s fifth-best team in FIFA’s latest global… Read More

18 hours ago