Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has issued a public apology after his early dismissal proved the turning point in Udinese’s heavy 5–1 Serie A defeat to Fiorentina on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Maduka Okoye was sent off inside the opening minutes after a reckless challenge on Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, leaving his side with a mountain to climb and triggering a collapse that handed the hosts their first league win of the season.
Referee Maurizio Mariani showed the Nigerian international a straight red card without the need for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention, ruling that the challenge denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Udinese were reduced to ten men almost immediately, forcing head coach Gabriele Cioffi into an early tactical reshuffle.
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Fiorentina take ruthless advantage after Maduka Okoye exit
Fiorentina wasted little time in capitalising on their numerical superiority. Rolando Mandragora opened the scoring in the 21st minute, before Albert Guðmundsson doubled the lead shortly before half-time. Cher Ndour struck in first-half stoppage time to effectively decide the contest before the break.
The pressure continued after the restart. Moise Kean, the player fouled by Maduka Okoye, made it 4–0 in the 56th minute. Although Oumar Solet pulled one back for Udinese in the 66th minute, any hope of a recovery was swiftly extinguished when Kean scored again just three minutes later to complete a convincing 5–1 victory.
The result was Fiorentina’s first win of the Serie A season after 16 rounds, following a run of nine defeats and six draws.
Maduka Okoye speaks out as suspension looms
In the aftermath of the match, Okoye turned to social media to express his remorse, posting on Snapchat: “I’m sorry, Bianconeri,” in an apology addressed to Udinese supporters, teammates and club officials.
The red card is expected to sideline the goalkeeper for up to three matches, with Okoye set to miss Udinese’s final fixture of the year against Lazio on December 27, as well as further league outings depending on the disciplinary ruling.
The incident comes at a sensitive moment for Okoye, who had earlier opted out of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad in Morocco amid reports he was unhappy playing second choice to Stanley Nwabali. Sunday’s dismissal now adds further uncertainty to his immediate club and international prospects.
