Kosta Runjaic has confirmed that Udinese will release Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on December 14th, SportPremi reports.
Okoye, 26, has been in superb form for the club since his return from a betting suspension which caused him to miss the first few weeks of the season.
He has made seven appearances in the league this campaign, keeping two clean sheets in the win over Atalanta and last weekend’s win over Parma.
- Read this: Udinese manager Preaches Patience with Maduka Okoye
- Garba Lawal confident of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 chances
- Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea: De Ketelaere inspires comeback for La Dea
The goalkeeper was included in Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle preliminary 54-man squad and is among the favorites to be named in the final squad for the tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to commence on the 21st of this month, while FIFA had previously announced a deadline of December 15 for clubs to make players available for their country.
The 2025 African Cup of Nations will run from the 21st of December and finish on the 18th of January next year.
Runjaic confirms Okoye release date
While speaking ahead of the club’s clash against Genoa on Monday, Kosta Runjaic provided latest updates on the team news and players’ availability.
“We are reflecting on this issue. After Napoli we probably won’t have Rui Modesto, Okoye, Bayo and Zemura, but it’s something we’ve known for a long time. Kamara won’t be there against Genoa, maybe he’ll come back with Napoli. We are considering who to play on the wings, but it is something that will become real after the match with Napoli. For the one against Genoa they are all available except Atta and Kamara”, Runjaic revealed.
On the clash against Genoa
“I expect a good performance from us. We know it’s an important game for us, we have to become a difficult team to face at home, transforming the energy of the fans on the field. We want to do better than last year at home, be more consistent. They have found consistency with the new coach, we know what awaits us. No one here is looking for excuses, viruses, injuries, etc. can’t be justifications. We are ready, we are all united, we want to show what we are capable of”, he continued.
“It was good, it did us good and I hope we will use this energy to start the week in the best possible way against Genoa. We want to give our best and start again from the Parma game, we have to put energy and passion into it, we want to win.”
Maduka Okoye will be available for the club’s next two matches against Genoa and Napoli before heading to Morocco to join his Nigerian teammates.
However, he could miss up to six matches for the Italian club if the Super Eagles gets to the final on the 18th of January.
