Nigeria’s Maduka Okoye names two Brazilian goalkeepers as favourites

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Emilio Okoye, has named two Brazilian goalkeepers as his all-round favourites, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old has been in decent form for his club side this season, helping Kosta Runjaic’s men to a place in the top half of the Italian Serie A. In twelve league games, the Fortuna Dusseldorf man has kept three clean sheets and saved a spot kick.

In an interview with Sporty TV, the Nigerian was asked to name his current favourite goalkeeper, he opted for Brazil and Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.

“It’s difficult to pick because for me, there are top goalkeepers in different aspects. You have Ter Stegen and Ederson who are the best with their feet for me, the you have Yan Oblak and Courtois who are the best on the line, but in general, I’ll go for Alisson,” the former Watford goalkeeper said.

Okoye opted for another Brazilian when quizzed about his idol and the greatest-ever goalkeeper, lavishing praise on the former AC Milan number one.

“My idol has always been Nelson Dida. For me, he was the best, but of course you have names like Buffon, and a lot of big names. For me, it’s always been Dida, not just about the way he plays, but the way he carries himself and everything around him,” Okoye concluded.

Maduka Okoye is primed to start Nigeria’s dead-rubber AFCON 2025 qualifying game against the Republic of Rwanda in Nwabali’s absence.