Udinese To Release Goalkeeper Okoye December 14 For AFCON

Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic has confirmed that goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will be released for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday, December 14, aligning with FIFA’s revised window for player release.

The decision followed FIFA’s announcement last week that clubs must release players for the tournament by December 15, a one-week extension from the original December 8 deadline.

Okoye is anticipated to be included in Nigeria’s final squad for the continental soccer showpiece by Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle.

The goalkeeper will depart for international duty immediately after Udinese’s Serie A fixture against Napoli on the 14th.

Runjaic acknowledged the impending departures, stating on the club’s official website, “We’re considering this issue. After Napoli, we’ll probably no longer have Rui Modesto, Okoye, [Brennan] Bayo, and [Jordan] Zemura, but we’ve known about it for some time.”

The manager also addressed his team’s immediate availability, noting, “Kamara won’t be available against Genoa, perhaps he’ll return against Napoli. We’re evaluating who to play on the wings… For the Genoa match, everyone except [Ebosele] Atta and [Sandi] Kamara is available.”