Nigeria’s first choice gaolkeeper Maduka Okoye was the goalkeeper of the Dutch Eredivise MatchWeek 33 games concluded mid-week in the Netherlands.
Okoye, according to the influential Dutch football newspaper, Football-Oranje single-handedly ensured his club, Sparta Rotterdam nicked a point when sixth placed FC Utrecht came to the Sparta-stadion “Het Kasteel” in the MatchWeeek 33 fixture.
”Sparta are still on control of 8th spot after a 0-0 draw against Utrecht, thanks to their excellent goalkeeper. Okoye made several saves to keep a clean sheet for his side,’ wrote the newspaper.
Sparta are in a fierce battle for eighth spot with Heracles Almelo and Fortuna Sittard, which will go down to the final game of the season.
Utrecht dominated possession but Okoye kept out Hidde Ter Avest’s volley, while Abdou Harroui went close for Sparta with a strike against the crossbar.
If Sparta defeats Heerenveen on Sunday then they take the last playoff spot and will join Utrecht, who are sixth.
The game also ensured the Nigerian international goalkeeper kept his 10th clean sheet of the season and become one of the five goalkeepers in the Eredivise to keep 10 and more clean sheets this season.
Okoye has also kept a clean sheet and conceeded just twice in six outings for the Super Eagles and looks set to join Dutch Eredivise champions, Ajax at the end of the season.