“I learned a lot” – Okoye speaks from experience as Awoniyi bounces back from Injury

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has expressed heartfelt support for fellow Super Eagles star Taiwo Awoniyi, who is currently recovering from a life-threatening abdominal injury, Soccernet.ng reports.

Awoniyi sustained the serious injury during a Premier League clash against Leicester City. The Nottingham Forest striker underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine and was placed in an induced coma.

Thankfully, he has since been brought out of the coma and remains under close medical supervision. While he is expected to be sidelined for several months, a full recovery is anticipated.

Reacting to the news, Super Eagles goalkeeper offered words of encouragement in an interview with Soccernet.ng.

“Keep the faith, because injuries… yeah. Sometimes your head goes to other spaces, and you lose focus. But yeah, I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery,” he told Soccernet.ng.

Okoye himself is no stranger to injury struggles. In December 2024, the Udinese shot-stopper underwent surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist—an injury he initially managed for two months before worsening it in a Serie A match against Genoa.

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Speaking further, the former Watford goalkeeper expressed his joy at returning to the pitch after some time away.

“Challenges are always good. I learned a lot. I grew. I had surgery again for a broken hand—three months out. But yeah, as soon as I’m on the pitch, I’m happy again. Everything around it, I just shut out. I’m very, very happy to be back here.” Okoye said.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper ended the 2024/25 season on a high, playing the final 11 games for Udinese and delivering several strong performances.

He added: “To finish the season with Udinese—the last 11 games—I finished on a personal high with some good performances. I’m very happy.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face Jamaica tomorrow in the final of the 2025 Unity Cup in London. Okoye hopes to return between the sticks with an impressive performance.