Eagles’ Missing Piece of the Jigsaw?

Stanley Nwabali

 That the Super Eagles were eliminated in the round of 16 of the last AFCON staged in Cameroon was blamed on school boy goalkeeping error. That Nigeria’s flag was not hoisted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was down to the team’s goalkeeper’s blunder. Prior to the 2023 AFCON, lack of a reliable safe hand between the sticks was the fear of many soccer crazy Nigerians and with Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye having proven unworthy, the team finally settled for a ‘dark horse’ in the mold of Stanley Nwabali. In the ongoing Africa’s greatest soccer fiesta, the two-capped goalkeeper has however been blameless. The big question is whether the Chippa United safe hand is really the missing link in the Super Eagles fortune

Weeks  ago, Stanley Nwabili was a relatively unknown player, having left the Nigeria Premier Football League side, Katsina United in October 2022, for the South African league side, Chippa United, but that is no more since debuting for Nigeria against Mexico, and with an above average performance so far for Nigeria at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Nwabali was in goal for the Super Eagles in their first match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations clash against Equatorial Guinea in which Nigeria forced their opponent to a 1-1 draw and the South African-based goalkeeper indeed expressed his disappointment about conceding in his first appearance.

“The game against Equatorial Guinea is not really good for me today. I know what I can do. To be honest, I know what I can do. But despite that, the 1-1 draw is not really good for me.

“We must win, definitely we must win. I know the next game will be tough, but we must win,” he added.

Nwabali indeed lived up to expectation against Cote d’Ivoire and despite keeping a clean sheet in Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over host country at the Stade Olympique Ouattara on Thursday, the Chippa United goalkeeper was left unsatisfied with his performance.

Nwabali, 27, was drafted into the Super Eagles squad after the coach, Jose Peseiro, went to watch him in action for his club side before the former Lobi Stars goalkeeper was included in his eventual 25-man list.

There were questions over who would take over the number one spot as the Nigerian team headed to Ivory Coast, considering the consistent errors from Francis Uzoho.

The Portuguese coach opted to start Nwabali in goal in the opening Group game against Equatorial Guinea, and although largely untested, showed good signs with his calmness, ability on the ball and how he commanded his back-line.

The 1.97m tall goalkeeper made three crucial saves to secure a clean sheet and deny the hosts a chance to equalize as Nigeria got all three points in the hugely anticipated clash, but the goalkeeper was not happy with his performance.

“No, I’m not happy. I feel I should be doing more for my country, so I don’t feel it was a great game for me, or how my game usually is. I’m happy for the team’s win, but my performance is unlike me. I want to play the ball more, be more confident, and enjoy myself,” the 27-year-old said after the game.

Nwabali’s outstanding performance against Cote d’Ivoire however did not go unnoticed by his former NPFL colleagues and have showered encomium on the former Enyimba shot stopper as he played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over the hosts on Thursday.

The former NPFL shot stopper recorded his first clean sheet for the Super Eagles and his former contemporaries have expressed their admiration for Nwabali’s confidence, precise ball distribution, and crucial saves against the host nation.

“Nwabali’s command of the box was exceptional, and he truly stood tall for the national team when he was needed the most,” Doma United goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi stated.

“Nwabali’s performance was a reflection of his dedication and hard work. He made the nation proud with that clean sheet,” Rivers United defender Endurance Ebedebiri said.

“As a fellow goalkeeper, I appreciate his style of play. It was a top-class performance from Nwabali,” Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole expressed.

Doma United centre-back, Nelson Abiam added, “In a game of such magnitude, Nwabali’s crucial saves and composure were game-changers. He deserves all the accolades.

“Nwabali’s saves were nothing short of spectacular. He played a very important role in securing the victory for Nigeria,” Sporting Lagos midfielder Henry Ndedi added.

Peseiro recently revealed that he decided to include Nwabili in his 25-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations because he was impressed with his performance for Chippa United.

The Super Eagles have had a goalkeeper issue for the last two years. Nigeria have lost important games due to mistakes from goalkeepers. Since José Peseiro took over as coach, he has alternated between Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, and Adebayo Adeleye.

Peseiro has always defended his goalkeepers, but ahead of the 2023 AFCON, Nwabili’s name came into the fray.

Peseiro was even pictured with the goalkeeper after a game at his South African club. Eventually, Nwabili was named in Nigeria’s provisional 40-man squad for the AFCON alongside Uzoho, Olorunleke Ojo, Adebayo Adeleye, Christian Nwoke, and Obasogie Amas.

In an interview on NFF TV, Peseiro explained his decision. The Portuguese explained that he consulted Nwabili’s club coaches and watched the player live before adding the 27-year-old.

“There were not many videos of the South African league available for us. But some friends sent us videos of Nwabili’s matches in the South African league,” Peseiro said.

“I asked the NFF President to let me go there. So, I was there in South Africa for four days to speak with him, I spoke to the coach, and a lot of people. I watched the trainings, the practice, and I watched one match. In the final list we decided to add him in the list after the whole evaluation.

“We believe in him because he showed good quality, good performance, and good capacities. Now, I hope he displays the same quality he shows at his club.”

Peseiro confessed that the Chippa United goalkeeper was recommended to him by the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

How consistent Nwabali will be between the post for the Super Eagles remains to be seen as many have come before him and showed flashes but faded after a while.

The Super Eagles will play their final group game against Guinea-Bissau next week Monday as they look to seal qualification from Group A. The match and other AFCON 2023 matches will air live on Sports Premium, channel 252 or 246, on StarTimes, as well as on StarTimes-ON app.