Stanley Nwabali: Former Nigeria International Praises AFCON Campaign of Super Eagles Goalkeeper

• Stanley Nwabali had a memorable 2023 AFCON campaign
• The goalkeeper helped Nigeria reach the final in Ivory Coast
• Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Alloy Agu has hailed the 27-year-old

Stanley Nwabali produced a memorable performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, in which Nigeria finished second.

Nwabali narrowly missed out on the Golden Glove after conceding twice in the final against eventual winners Ivory Coast.

Ex-Super Eagles international, Alloy Agu, has lauded the display of the Chippa United goalkeeper at the tournament.

Before the tournament kicked off, Nwabali had played twice for his country before. He unseated established No. 1 Francis Uzoho, and went on to play every game.

His selection into the starting lineup for their first game against Equatorial Guinea raised a few eyebrows, but he silenced the doubters as the tournament progressed.

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He made many important saves, but it was his penalty saves against South Africa in the quarter-final that sent the three-time AFCON champions to their eighth final, per BBC.

The 27-year-old kept four clean sheets. His close Golden Glove opponent, South Africa's Ronwen Williams, kept five.

Alloy Agu applauds Nwabali

Agu was part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 AFCON. The goalkeeper never expected Nwabali to turn up like he did, according to Complete Sports.

“I must confess to you that nobody saw this coming for Nwabali. Remember that he was selected just few weeks to the competition and he was able to distinguish himself without any form of fear."

“He was extremely exceptional at the tournament and deserves all the accolades he has received so far.”

With his newly-acquired pedigree, Nwabali has cemented his spot as the No. 1. Jose Peseiro will surely pick him again for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

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Nwabali accepts Williams as best goalkeeper

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nwabali saying that Williams deserved to win the Golden Glove at the AFCON 2023.

The Chippa United goalkeeper was superb in the competition as he conceded four goals, of which three were from open play, but Williams still bettered it.

The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper made a name for himself in the tournament in South Africa's quarter-final clash with Cape Verde, in which he saved four penalties during the penalty shoot-out.