Why Stanley Nwabali Missed First Chance With Super Eagles

Former NFF Vice President, Shehu Dikko, shed light on Stanley Nwabali’s struggle to secure a Super Eagles spot during former Head Coach, Gernot Rohr’s tenure.

Nwabali has emerged as an outstanding player in the ongoing AFCON, leading the Super Eagles to the final against Ivory Coast this Sunday.

Dikko shared, “Nwabali has always been on the radar of the National team. I recall in June 2019, during the NPFL Super Six in Lagos, and he was on the books of Enyimba FC, we invited Gernot Rohr to watch him as a potential successor/competitor to Uzoho.”

“Unfortunately, his club GM went to inform him that Rohr was around to check on him, thinking he was helping him, but that made him so jittery being a young keeper just getting into the grove.”

“He has always been a very good keeper as he even made the NPFL Allstar team in 2022 for the Budweiser match with John Terry and Roberto Carlos and the homebase Super Eagles match with Mexico in the USA.”

“Anyway, God’s time is always the best, and he has once again proved the talent available in the domestic game.”

Nwabali, a former Lobi Stars, Enyimba, and Katsina United goalkeeper, not only made remarkable saves to thwart South African players during Wednesday’s semi-final game but also saved two penalty kicks in the shootout, securing the Eagles’ advancement to the final.

His outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

Millions of Nigerian fans hope he maintains his form as the Eagles face Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final on Sunday.