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The Interview: Maduka Okoye On Udinese, Nigeria, Idol Nelson Dida, Alexis Sanchez, Scudetto Favourites & Much More (Ep. 452)
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The Italian Football Podcast is delighted to interview Udinese and Nigeria international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye on playing with Alexis Sanchez, AC Milan legend Nelson Dida being his childhood hero, why Inter Milan will win the Serie A, on representing Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026, how the Super Eagles are spoilt for choice up front between Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Bofiace to Samuel Chukwueze and much, much more.
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Transcript
Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast. Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. I'm Carla Garganese, joined as always by Nima Tovale. On today's show, we are delighted to to welcome on the Udenese and Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who has been in the last year one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A and has started the new season very well
Transition to Udinese and First-Year Experience
00:00:29
Speaker
as well. So Maduka, thank you so much for for joining us. How are you doing?
00:00:34
Speaker
Thank you guys. Thank you guys for having me. I'm very fine. I had a morning off and getting ready for later on training. How are you guys? We're doing well. um Hi, Maduka. This is Nima. Thank you so much for joining us. um Let's start at the very beginning. um You're now in your second season with Udina. How did you enjoy your first year in Udina?
00:00:59
Speaker
Yeah, first it was a little bit, how can I call it, like, let me say turbulent, because I arrived from Watford, from England. I didn't play at all in Watford. I came from shoulder surgery and luckily the Pozzo family gave me a chance here in Udinese. Yes, I arrived as ah as a second goalkeeper and in, I think, 17 games i I made it to the starting 11 and then yeah the journey was was starting. and I'm very happy about how ah how about it's going now.
00:01:35
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, like you said, you did have a very impressive first season in the Serie A and with Udina. You were statistically one of the best goalkeepers in the league and you were very key in Udina, say, avoiding relegation and staying in the Serie A. Were you happy with what you did last season?
00:01:52
Speaker
Yes, of course, very happy. um I think it's very important, and not just for for us players, but also for the club, as Udinese is in the Serie A for the last 30 years. and that It was yeah that was very important for us to stay in the league and I'm happy that I could be be part of that and play a role in helping the club staying in.
00:02:14
Speaker
in Serie A where all the needs it belongs to and on top good performances of course from from myself but also from the team and with strong fans behind us in in tough times we we made it on the last day. You did, it was very dramatic I remember. um what If we're talking about your own development, ah what areas do you feel that you can still improve as a goalkeeper?
Reflections and Areas for Improvement
00:02:40
Speaker
Yeah, they for sure for sure. A lot of areas where I have to improve, especially when I want to reach the point and the the level where I want to be. There's a lot of improvement and in in any part, um but um I'm surrounded by a very good goalkeeping team, and um um I'm sure that that that I will develop in the parts where I have to develop.
00:03:05
Speaker
Well, Uranus, last season you had Fabio Cannavaro, who achieved the Salveta, as they say in Italy. But now this season you have a new manager in Costa Runjajic. There's not a lot known about Runjajic now that he, you know, when he first arrived among Serie A fans.
Impact of New Manager Costa Runjajic
00:03:20
Speaker
um What kind of a manager in person is he and what can you tell us a little bit about his philosophies and and how it's been working with him so far?
00:03:28
Speaker
yeah it's been It's been great, to be honest. It's been, ah I think, ah quite a new experience for for all of us because he's ah he's a very special guy and yeah that makes him a ah great coach. you know he's He's a little bit spiritual and working with a lot of energy and I think we needed that, you know, and we can feel it and we can also see it on the pitch that that was missing and since he arrived, I mean, we we've been ah we've been a whole new team and yeah, we are very happy with him and I'm looking forward for working together with him.
00:04:07
Speaker
just Just to follow up on that, Madulka, in what way is he spiritual, would you say? like how In what what kind of ways does he bring the spiritual side? He tells us ah that he believes in you know in little little details of of energy, of of of feelings. you know and He's a very honest and straightforward guy, so he really tells us what he feels like and what he thinks.
00:04:33
Speaker
and he's not holding back anything. So, um yeah, that makes him very special, especially in this in this area. You know how there's also other coaches who maybe don't talk to you that much or don't talk honest to you. But he is a very honest guy and that makes him not just that, but that makes him a top coach. And on top of that, he's preparing us very well for for for every game.
00:04:59
Speaker
That's interesting.
Goalkeeping Inspirations and Idols
00:05:00
Speaker
Players definitely appreciate honesty. Going back now, as a kid, who were your footballing, let's say your footballing and your goalkeeping idols as you were growing up?
00:05:11
Speaker
It was always Nelson Dita from AC Milan. It was always him, never somebody else. Yeah, he was he was a great goalkeeper. Have you ever met Dita? No, I never met him, but luckily since I came to but since i arrived and and in Italy, there's a sort of contact to him, to other people, and I'm very happy about this because I mean, I grew up watching Dida, I grew up standing in goal thinking I am Dida, you know, he gave me a lot of motivation and ah yeah, for me, he's he's the he's the number one goalkeeper in the world, you know. Yeah, he he was he was fantastic. So, did you have a team that you supported as a kid? It wasn't Dida's Milan, was it? Yeah, it was.
00:06:03
Speaker
I maybe need to watch out what I say, but it was Dida's Milan, yes. Yeah, Dida was was fantastic for Milan, of course, won the Champions League for them with the penalty shoot with the penalty shootout against Juventus when he was off his line for quite a few yards.
00:06:24
Speaker
Back in the day. who Who do you think is the best goalkeeper in the world right right now today? ah um Very difficult because for me, how can I say it, the way I'm learning from the from the top is, let's say when I when i when i want to or when I when i study um bird-or-play, I watch testing When I study ah um exits, high exits, I study Ederson. When I study safes, I study, I watch Courtois. So, let me say, and in in all different parts there are for me different go keepers on the number one spot. But when I have to say in total,
00:07:12
Speaker
ah difficult. But I think the most complete one is Alisson. No, yeah. Difficult one. I don't want to answer this question. No, no, you're you absolutely right. Some goalkeepers are better at some things and some are some of the better at the others. yeah they' Fair enough. um Talking of legends, Alexis Sanchez returned to Udenezer this
Playing with Legends and Teammates
00:07:34
Speaker
summer. i mean What's it been like working with or being joined by such a club legend? you know One of the best players of his generation.
00:07:41
Speaker
Yeah, it's unbelievable. i I remember the first day when he walked in inside the changing room, and I was sitting on my on my on my on my chair, and I stood right in the beginning, and I looked up, I saw him walking in, and I just then stood up and gave him the hand, you know, like, Alexis Sanchez. Yeah, I mean, this is this is a legend of the game, not just here in the club with Nisa, but in the hole in the whole game, you know, and it's ah it's a privilege. and um proud and I'm grateful to to be able to work with with players like Alexis Sanchez. yeah yeah Yeah, absolutely. A legend of the game. um and One other question about one of your teammates, Lorenzo Luca, who of course I'm sure you you face in training all the time. yeah i mean it's Right now, Italy are crying out for a striker at number nine. Do you think Luca has has the ability or the potential to to be Italy's number nine?
00:08:38
Speaker
For sure, for sure. For sure, he has the potential. is ah For me, he is already a a top-level striker, but like myself, we are we are young and we have to work on a lot of stuff, but I'm sure that he will be there, and sooner or later he will be there 100%. He has all the qualities, he has the heights, the special heights. I mean, two meet not every striker ah is two metres tall, and um still he has abilities of a of a of a strike who's not that tall you know what I'm saying so he's ah he's a very special very special player and I'm I'm happy to play with him because he also gives us also a lot as a team and as a player and um yeah for sure he will be there
00:09:24
Speaker
Turning now a little bit to to yourself again and your own ambitions career-wise, you were linked with many clubs this summer. um would you like to return you know Would you like to return to England and play in the Premier League and Champions League one day? I mean, what are your targets and ambitions for the future?
00:09:42
Speaker
Yeah, for sure for sure ah for sure Champions League. um I mean, um this is what we what we dream of growing up. you know So this is the number one target. um But yeah, I know that I have to take things step by step and I'm not there yet and I still have to work on a lot of things. um But I also know that I can be there, you know, and that's why we are working hard all together.
00:10:09
Speaker
and um ah about England I don't know yet um because i really I really like it here in Italy and I'm very happy in Italy. I'm learning the language right now you know and I would love to to spend some more time here in Italy.
Choosing to Represent Nigeria
00:10:23
Speaker
Um, speaking of, uh, the, you know, your people and and representing your community. I mean, the, the Nigerian national team, you've got 16 cap for Nigeria and Nigeria, they've gone through a kind of a difficult time recently with Finili George leaving. But how's the feeling in the Nigerian camp? Are you guys confident you will recover and be able to qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
00:10:46
Speaker
Yeah, like you said, we are ah in a quite difficult situation right now. um But when we are reunion in camp, it's always a big vibe, you know, and it's always a coming together and family vibes. And I'm sure that i'm sure that we will we will get to our goal.
00:11:08
Speaker
um They're just now on the new coach, so um yeah I'm really looking forward to to what's coming in the next weeks and getting ready yeah for the games. On a personal level, what would it mean to represent Nigeria at the World Cup in 2026?
00:11:28
Speaker
Yeah, would it would mean the world. I mean, I grew up watching the Super Eagles. When my father came back home from from Nigeria, he always brought us some Ococha jerseys or Finnish jerseys. So um yeah, it it means it means the world. And to represent my fatherland is a dream. And of course, in a big tournament like the World Cup, it's it's it's even more special.
00:11:57
Speaker
yeah a co show what a player he was i mean You were born in in Germany. You grew up in in Germany, as you said, to a Nigerian father and a German mother. Was it always your intention to play for Nigeria or did you ever consider playing for Germany? Honestly, ah never I never really considered playing for Germany because it it was always Nigeria. you know um I grew up in Germany but the house was ah yeah was was kind of Nigerian with my father as the leader at home. and um so it was it was it was yeah I didn't even have to make a decision because it was always Nigerian in my head and as soon as the as the chance came I took it, yes.
00:12:41
Speaker
Yeah, fair enough. and You're obviously you're very tall you're very one of the tallest goalkeepers, but I read that you started your career as a striker, is that that right?
Early Career and Position Switch
00:12:52
Speaker
It's true, yeah. I started as a striker. my my My father is still telling me that I would be a better striker instead of a keeper. No, but I started as a striker and um yeah by mistake I ended up in goal.
00:13:08
Speaker
i like to How old were you when you became a goalkeeper? like When you switched, when you changed positions? Yeah, I was. I started very early. I started when I was three, three four four years old and I became a goalkeeper when I was five.
00:13:27
Speaker
okayy's quite observ um to Talking of strikers, just again with Nigeria, I mean, Nigeria's forward options are ah insane. I mean, Osseman, Lukman, Boniface, Chukwesi, Ikanache, Tela, I could go on and on and on. I mean, first of all, it must be hell for you facing these guys in training in Nigeria. But secondly, I mean, is there a country right now with a better group of attackers than the Nigeria? I mean, they can't be,
Training Challenges and Growth
00:13:58
Speaker
can they? Yeah, honestly, it's ah in general, not even our attackers. It's our squad is is unbelievable strong, you know. And but yeah, like you said, the strikers, it's sometimes I have tough working days and
00:14:16
Speaker
um but yeah Also, there's ah for me, it's just to train with top strikers like like them is just a process for me and I can learn and learn and learn. you know Facing shots from from them is is good.
00:14:29
Speaker
yeah Just before we let you go, we play this rapid fire game where we give you two or three options and you pick one. You don't need to give an explanation if you don't want to, but you can
Rapid-Fire Favorites
00:14:41
Speaker
also if you want to. Okay. All right. All right. So the first one, I think everyone in the world's been after this, uh, Leonel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? There's no doubt there. No doubt there.
00:14:53
Speaker
then you finished the question and What's your, what's your favorite food? And Jollof Rice with Gold Meat and Plantain. Shout out to Nigeria. Nigerian. What are you currently watching on on TV? Like Netflix or or TV series? ah Family Guy. Family Guy. That's a good job. If you could pick one Udina as a teammate to fight for you, who would you pick?
00:15:25
Speaker
Fight for you in which sense? Like in a boxing game. In a boxing game. Something like that. The side of myself, I guess. um oh It's a good question. i think Who's the toughest? Who's the hardest, the strongest? Yaka, Yaka Bijo. Yaka Bijo. Really? Yaka Bijo. I would go to war with him.
00:15:53
Speaker
He would go to war with you. If you're having a house party, you can invite any five people that dead or alive. Who would you invite to your house party?
00:16:09
Speaker
oh you yo
00:16:14
Speaker
For sure, Dida. I would have a lot of questions.
00:16:23
Speaker
I'm not taking too long time already. Okocha? Okocha, yes. Kanye West. um
00:16:39
Speaker
Your dad? ah yeah um Yeah, why not? I never party with my father, so it would be very interesting. look good and would Would you pick some someone that's good for a party, has a good time in the Udenezer squad? who Who likes a party? Who would be the best one out of the Udenezer squad? I suck success. Okay, Isaac success, yeah. Okay, Isaac success, yeah. So who's taller, you or Lorenzo Luca? Lorenzo.
00:17:10
Speaker
i think loreenz was solid yeah think so okay and who will Who do you think will win the Scudetto this season? Inter, Milan, Juve, Napoli, Atalanta? From the way it's going right now, Juve with Thiago Mota looks quite strong, but for sure, Inter will also be a top candidate.
00:17:35
Speaker
And finally, the most controversial question we ask all our guests, pineapple on pizza, food heaven or food hell? Food hell. No way. Good Good answer. Good answer. Thank you so much, Maduka, for joining
Closing and Farewell
00:17:52
Speaker
us. um guys We wish you all the best with Nigeria and Udinesse, of course, for the rest of the season. Everyone else will be back on Monday. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other. Ciao chat.
00:18:03
Speaker
Thank you very much, guys. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Great interview. Wish you all the best. We thank you. Thank you very much. Bye bye. Ciao. Ciao. Bye.