When the final list of Jose Peseiro's squad for the 34th 2023 AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire was released, a shocking name that was included was that of Chippa United's goalkeeper in Stanley Nwabali who will be making his first senior national team appearance in a major tournament and many feared that the country won't go far having had problems in between the sticks since the exit of veteran Enyeama and with this new guy untested and unproven, it seems more like the claims would be right.
Francis Uzoho, Okoye Maduka, Daniel Akpeyi have all been touted as a possible safe hands in goal for the Super Eagles of Nigeria but their performance has been nothing compared to any of our heroes past in no particular order that the country has had in goal speaking briefly of Best Ogedegbe, Alloy Agu, Peter Rufia, Ike Shorunmu, Vincent Enyeama, Carl Ikeme and a host of others
Having previously represented Enyima, Go- Round FC, Lobi Stars in the NPFL, Stanley Nwabili earned his first cap for the Nigerian national team in an international friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles in America, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
From obscurity as it seems although we all know that the Rivers state born 'Bobo' plies his trade in South-Africa, Stanley has endeared the heart of many Nigerians through his commanding performance in between the sticks for the country which is signifying a relief for the fans that just maybe, the goalkeeping department is sorted for years to come but is the AFCON outing and the first senior NT call up for him enough for him to own the No 1 spot?
Well, many have saluted Jose's decision of the inclusion of the lanky shot-stopper despite the backlash before the beginning of the competition and with the team's current performance which is edging them closer to a 4th AFCON title, one can undoubtedly say that Nwabali's is Nigeria's unsung hero.
Stanley Nwabali is the first Eagles goalkeeper to keep 4 consecutive clean sheets in a major tourney in 44 years, how incredible! The last to do was Best Ogedegbe in 1980, he surpasses Alloy Agu’s 3 games in a row in 1990.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been Nigeria's driving force, showcasing skill and tireless spirit alongside the Super Eagles sturdy defence marshalled by William Troost-Ekong but with the unlikely hero in Nwabali, the defense department has been more coordinated, dominance, confidence than we have seen in recent times.
The Nigerian defence, led by Troost-Ekong alongside Semi and Nwabali in goal has only conceded one goal in four matches, silencing concerns.
With the team making it into the semi-final rounds as they eye a spot in the finals, Nwabali would be undoubtedly be the deserved winner of the best keeper of the tournament, the first in a major tournament in big reward to his unwavering loyalty and splendid performance for the country.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola