Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye celebrated his first-ever penalty save in the Serie A but lamented his team's 3-0 loss to Bologna on Saturday.

Bologna were awarded a penalty in the first half after a Video Assistant Review determined that Udinese defender Kingsley Ehizibue handled the ball while attempting to block a long-range shot from Tommaso Pobega. 

With the score still 0-0, Okoye displayed courage and reflexes to deny Riccardo Orsolini from the spot, keeping Udinese in the game at that point.

Despite the heroics between the posts, Udinese could not capitalize and eventually succumbed to an impressive second-half performance from the visitors.

Speaking after the game, Okoye acknowledged the importance of his penalty save but stressed the need for defensive improvement.

"I'm happy with the penalty saved, but not with the match, which we started well anyway," he said to Udinese's official website. 

"That's football: I saved a penalty but then I made a mistake on the second goal. We need to move forward and analyze the good and bad things we did today."

The Nigerian international urged the team to address their defensive errors moving forward.

"Are we the worst defense? We often take risks; that's our football. We win, but we also lose like that. We need to improve defensively, myself first.

"Mistakes are part of the game, but we need to reduce them. It's important to learn from these mistakes."

"In football, the most important thing is the result, but we also want to play well. We need to stay united and focus on the next match."

Okoye has been a key figure for Udinese since returning from a betting ban in October and will be looking to continue his impressive performances. 

His form could also see him challenge Stanley Nwabali for a starting spot in the Super Eagles ahead of the AFCON tournament.

Adeyemi Adewale