Okoye saves Udinese's blushes to secure first point of the season following draw against Como

The hosts head into the new season looking to improve on their previous 10th-place finish last campaign.

Facing Champions League newcomers Como in their season opener, they were determined to deliver a decisive performance.

Ultimately, they were held to a 1-1 draw, with key saves from Maduka Okoye ensuring they avoided defeat.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who earned huge praises from his manager after keeping a clean sheet in Coppa Italia, retained his starting position for Udinese in their first game of the season.

Following the start of the first half, both teams had a go at each other but could not create goal-scoring chances in the first 20 minutes.

However, in the 29th minute, the host broke the deadlock after Hassane Kamara got to the ball inside the box from a weighted pass.

He brilliantly lifted it over Jean Butez and into the net, with the goal giving them an advantage heading into the break.

In the second half, Como responded quickly with the equaliser. Anastasios Douvikas slotted the ball into an unguarded net from close range after a shot rebounded off a defender.

Okoye, who was looking for his first clean sheet of the season, could only watch as Douvikas put the ball into the net.

Despite conceding in his first game, the Nigerian international was at his best, saving his team from losing their first home game.

The shot-stopper made five saves in the game to help his team secure a 1-1 draw and their first point of the new season.