A former Super Eagles star has thrown his support behind Stanley Nwabali to maintain his position as Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper for the crucial World Cup playoff against Gabon, despite the return of Maduka Okoye from suspension.
Goalkeeping Dilemma for Super Eagles
The inclusion of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in coach Eric Chelle's 24-man squad has sparked intense debate about who should start in goal for Nigeria's crucial World Cup qualifier. Okoye returns after serving a three-month suspension related to a betting scandal and has shown impressive form in his recent club appearances.
Meanwhile, Stanley Nwabali, who plays for South African club Chippa United, has faced growing criticism from Nigerian fans following several questionable performances during the qualifiers. The goalkeeper's recent errors and on-pitch behavior have raised concerns among supporters and analysts alike.
Recent Struggles and Personal Challenges
Nwabali, who became a national hero during Nigeria's impressive run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, has seen his performance levels drop in recent matches. During Nigeria's 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo, the goalkeeper engaged in what observers called "dark arts" with opposing players while already on a yellow card, nearly resulting in a sending-off.
His communication issues with teammates proved costly during the 2-1 win against Lesotho, where poor coordination led to the goal Nigeria conceded and almost caused a second goal. The situation became so concerning that star striker Victor Osimhen was seen openly criticizing Nwabali during the match.
The goalkeeper's challenges extended to Nigeria's 4-0 victory over Benin Republic, where he found himself in several precarious situations that could have jeopardized Nigeria's playoff chances, according to BBC reports.
In a recent revelation, Nwabali acknowledged his mental struggles, explaining that he lost both parents within two months, with his mother passing away on January 1 this year.
Legend Backs Nwabali Despite Concerns
Despite these challenges, Monaco legend and former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba has strongly advocated for Nwabali to retain his starting position. In comments reported by Daily Post, Ikpeba emphasized that Okoye's return should serve as healthy competition rather than an immediate changing of the guard.
"Maduka Okoye is back, but Nwabali remains the Super Eagles No 1 despite the recent concerns," Ikpeba stated. "At this point, all the players are needed."
The former African Footballer of the Year advised coach Eric Chelle not to alter the winning combination that brought results during the World Cup qualifiers, suggesting consistency would benefit the team ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
Nigeria will face the Panthers of Gabon on Thursday, November 13, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. A victory would see the Super Eagles advance to the final of the play-offs against either DR Congo or Cameroon, with a World Cup qualification spot on the line.
