ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – JULY 22: L-R Frank Kooiman goalkeeper trainer of Sparta Rotterdam gives instructions to Maduka Okoye of Sparta Rotterdam during the first training of the season of Sparta Rotterdam on July 22, 2020 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (Photo by Herman Dingler/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Maduka Okoye made his first appearance of the season for Sparta as they were eliminated from the KNVB Beker on penalties.
The Nigerian international has had to settle for a substitute role since joining the Dutch club but made his debut on Wednesday evening in a league cup tie away at ADO Den Haag.
He was impressive behind the sticks for his team but couldn’t prevent them from crashing out on penalties.
Danzell Gravenberch scored in the 39th minute to give Sparta the lead. The home team equalised in the last moment of the game through Luuk Koopmans to send the game into extra-time. Neither team could find the winner inside the 30 minutes of extra-time and the game headed to penalties.
Den Haag won 5-3 on penalties to progress to the next round at the expense of Sparta Rotterdam.
In numbers, Maduka Okoye made 5 saves, 3 from inside the box. He completed 27 passes with a 73% accuracy. He attempted 16 long balls with 7 finding a teammate.