Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was denied a share of the spoils as Lameck Banda’s stunning 90th minute free kick handed Lecce a dramatic 2 1 Serie A victory over Udinese at the Stadio Via del Mare.
Lecce went into the match under intense pressure after failing to win any of their previous eight league games and scoring only twice in nine outings. Udinese, sitting comfortably in mid table, arrived in better form after consecutive wins over Verona and Roma, although they were without several key players due to injury and fitness concerns.
The hosts made the perfect start by ending a goal drought that had stretched over 430 minutes. In the fifth minute, Udinese gifted possession away twice in the same move, allowing Omri Gandelman to collect the loose ball and calmly finish from 12 yards for his first Serie A goal, leaving Maduka Okoye with no chance.
Udinese responded positively and were rewarded in the 26th minute. Jordan Zemura was fouled in the area after latching onto an inventive Arthur Atta pass, and defender Oumar Solet stepped up to convert the penalty with a composed finish to bring the visitors level.
Both sides created chances as the game opened up. Lecce went close when Danilo Veiga’s powerful effort was tipped over the bar by Okoye, while the Udinese goalkeeper was also tested by long range efforts from Ylber Ramadani. At the other end, Nicolò Zaniolo and Konan N’Dri fired wide from promising positions.
Lecce thought they had regained the lead late on when Gandelman’s shot deflected off a defender and bounced onto the crossbar in the 87th minute. The decisive moment arrived moments later when Banda was fouled just outside the penalty area. The winger picked himself up and curled a sensational free kick into the near top corner, beating Okoye and sparking wild celebrations as Lecce claimed their first win of 2026.
Okoye played the full 90 minutes for Udinese, recording three saves, seven recoveries and completing 22 of 32 passes. Despite the defeat, Udinese remain in the top half of the table with 32 points following recent positive results, while the victory lifts Lecce 3 points clear of the relegation zone and eases pressure after a difficult start to the year.
