Verona vs Udinese: Gift Orban scores Maduka Okoye but Super Eagles shotstopper ultimately triumphs

Udinese delivered a ruthless second-half performance at the Bentegodi to sink Hellas Verona 3–1, after a tough first half in which Gift Orban wiped off their advantage, three minutes after Arthur Atta sent them in front.

The Serie A Monday evening clash carried heavy stakes at the bottom end of the table, with Verona desperate for points and Udinese seeking breathing space. 

Arthur Atta, Alessandro Zanoli and Keinan Davis found the net for the visitors, while Nigerian striker Gift Orban briefly restored hope for the hosts by scoring against Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in a fascinating Nigerian subplot.

Udinese struck first in the 23rd minute when Jordan Zemura’s lpicked out Arthur Atta, who swept a right-footed finish to give the visitors an early lead.

Verona responded almost immediately. Just three minutes later, Amin Sarr led a swift counter-attack before slipping a precise pass into Gift Orban, and the Nigerian striker showed sharp composure to guide a low effort beyond Okoye into the bottom corner in the 26th minute, levelling the contest at 1–1 and sparking the home crowd.

The second half began with increased tempo, but Udinese regained control and restored the lead in the 58th minute. Following a set-piece recycled into the area, Alessandro Zanoli arrived late on the right and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike into the top corner, restoring Udinese’s advantage at 2–1.

Verona pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but that left spaces at the back. Udinese exploited one in the 66th minute when Keinan Davis burst through on the left, cut inside his marker and fired a rising left-footed shot past the stranded Perilli, sealing the contest at 3–1.

Despite late pressure from Verona, Udinese managed the closing stages calmly, with Okoye making routine stops to preserve the victory.

The result lifts Udinese further clear of immediate relegation danger, and well into mid-table while Verona remain entrenched in the bottom three, their defensive fragility once again exposed.

 For Nigerian fans, the night delivered a compelling subplot as Gift Orban continued his fine scoring run, but it was Maduka Okoye who ultimately celebrated the more important victory.