Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic says Maduka Okoye is making steady progress and has urged the club’s supporters to rally behind the goalkeeper, SportPremi reports.
The Nigerian goalkeeper missed missed the first few months of the season after receiving a ban for an alleged betting scandal.
He initially faced up to a period of four years out of action, but was only handed a two-month sentence following proper review of the incident.
The 26-year-old has returned to action since coming back from the suspension, featuring in the club’s last six matches in the league.
However, he only has one clean sheet in those six games and ended on the losing side three times in that period.
Okoye saved a penalty kick in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat against Bologna, but was at fault for the visitors second goal, which ended his side’s hopes of a comeback.
Udinese face Parma in the Italian Serie A this weekend, as they hope to bounce back from a two-game losing streak.
Runjaic calls for calm with Okoye
Speaking ahead of the clash against Parma on Saturday, gaffer Kosta Runjaic urged supporters to rally behind the team to fuel their performances.
“In training, he shows us what he is capable of doing, and I am optimistic. We have confidence in every player on the squad; everyone has to train well and then prove in the game.
“Between us, against Bologna, there were things that I didn’t like, and with the guys, we talked about it”, Runjaic revealed.
“The goal is to work on mistakes and no longer make mistakes. We have several new players, different young players, different ones that have played less; these are details that can be decisive.
“For example, Okoye did not play for weeks; against Bologna, he took an unnecessary risk, and we went two goals down, and that closed the match.
“We are working intensively, we need time, it is a process of growth. It takes time to see the full potential of the players express”, the manager continued.
“For a team like Udinese, it is important to know how to face the non-positive moments. I am not in a hurry; we keep what we have done well, and we correct the rest.”
A win for Udinese this weekend will end their two-match losing run and move them higher than their current position on the standings.
