Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has named former Brazil and AC Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida as his childhood idol and a significant source of inspiration throughout his career.
Dida spent a decade of his illustrious career at AC Milan, where he amassed an impressive collection of silverware, including the Serie A title, multiple UEFA Champions League triumphs, and FIFA Club World Cup.
Okoye described Dida as the best goalkeeper in the world and credited him as the inspiration behind his support for AC Milan during his formative years.
Okoye hails Nelson Dida as his ultimate goalkeeping inspiration
“[My childhood idol] always Nelson Dida and never anyone else. I’ve never met him but I’ve had contact with him through other people, this makes me very happy,” Okoye told The Italian Football Podcast.
“I grew up watching Dida, standing in goal thinking I am Dida, he has given me lots of motivation, for me he is the number 1 goalkeeper in the world.
“Maybe I need to watch what I say [laughs], but I always supported Dida’s Milan.”
The Nigeria international has been a standout in Serie A since taking on the role of Udinese's first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Marco Silvestri in the latter half of the 2023/24 season.
His performances were instrumental in helping I Bianconeri secure their top-flight status and avoid relegation, and attracted interest from Milan, albeit in the form of Inter rather than the former club of idol Dida.
Okoye has started all three of the club's Serie A matches so far, conceding just twice and keeping one clean sheet.
How Kanu embarrassed Dida: A golden moment in Olympic history
Nwankwo Kanu’s iconic performance against Brazil in the 1996 Olympic semi-final is etched in football history, particularly for how he outclassed Okoye's idol, Dida.
With Nigeria trailing 3-2 and just seconds away from defeat, Kanu produced a moment of magic, scoring the equaliser by flicking the ball with his back to goal, swiveling and firing past the Brazil goalkeeper to force extra time.
Then, in the 94th minute, Kanu delivered the ultimate blow with a stunning “golden goal,” sending Nigeria into the final.
Kanu’s brilliance on that night not only embarrassed Dida but also solidified his status as a football legend.
