Udogie praised as outstanding by Nigeria-eligible youngster

Italian-Born Destiny Udogie has praised his Udinese teammate Isaac Success as ‘exceptional’, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Udogie, 19, is an Italy youth international and a candidate for promotion to the Italian national team. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Udogie started his football career at Hellas Verona and made his way up to the senior team in only three years. He made his Serie A debut in 2020 and played six games for Verona’s senior team.

In the summer, Udogie joined Udinese on loan with an option to buy. He has been one of the standout players of The Little Zebras this season and has attracted interest from the likes of Juventus and AC Milan. In Udinese’s last Serie A match against Bologna, Udogie scored one of the club’s two goals which earned them a valuable away draw.

The other scorer was Success, who joined Udinese in the summer on a permanent transfer from Watford. Success set up Udogie’s equalizing goal in the 25th minute to reset the match before scoring Udinese’s second goal to put the visitors in the driver’s seat of the tie, until Bologna pulled one back to equalize in the second half and prevent Udinese from leaving the Stadio Renato Dell’Ara with all three points.

Udogie spoke to journalists after the game and praised Success for his part in the game, while also talking up the Super Eagle’s influence in the Udinese squad.

“Playing with Isaac (Success) is very interesting,” Udogie told Mundo Udinese after the game. “He is outstanding and knows how to play very intelligently. Mainly from the wings, and he facilitates a lot of situations with his plays.”

Success is currently a man in form for The Little Zebras. His goal and assist in the trip to Bologna added to his impressive tally of five goal contributions (one goal and four assist) from the last five Serie A games. Success has now contributed two goals and seven assists in 20 Serie A appearances.

Udogie has enjoyed his season at the club and credits Udinese’s coach Gabriele Cioffi as the change agent he needed to up his performances. He noted that his forays into the opponent’s box, which he has excelled at this season, was due to the coach’s instructions and that it has benefitted his playing style greatly.

“Surely, the coach asks us and in fact, we want to be present as much as possible in the area,” Udogie added. “The coach said to recognize the spaces. The hardest thing was done by Isaac and Gerry (Deulofeu), who put me in front of the goal and then I just had to score.”