Super Eagles goalkeeper's 'down low' save earns praise: Okoye delivers spectacular stop vs Roma

Udinese’s surge up the Serie A table continued in dramatic fashion on Monday night, and the headlines belong to one man: Maduka Okoye.

The Nigerian shot-stopper produced a goalk​eeping clinic to inspire the Bianconeri to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AS Roma, leaving the Giallorossi frustrated and the Italian media in awe.

In a match where every inch mattered, Okoye was the ultimate barrier. Statistically, his impact was undeniable; he made three vital saves, including a stoppage-time fingertip stop on Gianluca Mancini that preserved the three points.

Most impressively, Okoye, who believes they can compete after the win, prevented 1.64 of 1.64 xGOT (Expected Goals on Target) faced, essentially denying Roma nearly two certain goals.

The highlight of the night, and the moment that set social media ablaze, was a spectacular sprawling save to deny a low driven effort.

The agility displayed by the 6'6" keeper caught the attention of the league's official channels.

"Maduka Okoye down low!" Serie A’s official handles led the praise, highlighting the reflex speed that has become his trademark in Italy.

While his shot-stopping was elite, Okoye also acted as a pressure valve for Udinese’s defence, maintaining a 53% pass accuracy, a solid figure considering the intense high press utilized by Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma side.

The performance has reignited discussions about Okoye's ceiling. After a rocky period in his international career, the 26-year-old looks completely revitalised in Udine, leading many to believe he has outgrown the mid-table battle.

The reaction across social platforms was swift and polarised:

“The things Maduka Okoye does....” one fan noted, echoing the disbelief at his late-game heroics.

“He deserves a bigger team, a top four team,” another added, as rumours of interest from Italy's elite continue to swirl.

However, his brilliance in Italy has created a bittersweet narrative for some fans back home. Given his current form and apparent comfort in the peninsula, some observers have made bold and controversial claims regarding his international future.

“He feels at Home in Italy... hopefully he'll don the Italian jersey soon, since he doesn't love playing for his country!”

Despite the noise regarding his relationship with the national team, Okoye’s focus remains firmly on his club duties.

After securing Udinese's fifth clean sheet of the campaign and propelling them to 8th in the standings, the message is clear: Maduka Okoye is currently one of the most in-form goalkeepers in Europe.