Tag: Stanley Nwabali

In one of the defining performances of AFCON 2025, Stanley Nwabali emerged as Nigeria’s match winner, denying both Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as the Super Eagles beat Egypt 4–2 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

The result extended Nigeria’s perfect Africa Cup of Nations third place play off record and cemented the Chippa United goalkeeper as one of the standout figures of the tournament.

In a hard-fought encounter at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Saturday, January 17, both sides battled intensely but failed to break the deadlock after 90 minutes.

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The match went straight to penalties, where Nigeria held their nerve to triumph 4-2.

Ademola Lookman sealed the victory with a composed spot-kick, capping a dramatic shootout that saw the Super Eagles convert their chances decisively.

This win extends Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third-place matches, marking their record ninth bronze medal.

Despite the disappointment of their semi-final penalty defeat to hosts Morocco, the Super Eagles bounced back with resilience and determination, ending the tournament on a high note and delivering pride to millions of Nigerians.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s availability for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff final against DR Congo remains uncertain.

Nigeria will face the Leopards in the final of the qualifying playoff in Morocco on Sunday.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper played the entire full time after sustaining an injury in the closing stages of Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Gabon.

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Nwabali chose to continue between the posts despite Udinese’s Maduka Okoye warming up to replace the Chippa United shot-stopper.

The goalkeeper participated in partial training on Friday, while the other two goalkeepers, Okoye and Amas Obasogie, completed their full training drills.

Manager Eric Chelle is awaiting a full medical report before confirming whether Nwabali will start against DR Congo.

A member of the Super Eagles backroom crew says fame and money is swelling the ego of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Following the Chippa United player poor display against Lesotho on Friday, the shot stopper has posted some rather disturbing performances and attitude that have now caused calls that he gets a more worthy direct competitor.

“It’s very much like the fame and the little money have got to the head of the boy,” a team official told SCORENigeria

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“He started out as part of the team, but these days you only see him all on his own, he thinks he has arrived.”

The stats showed that he only kept two clean sheets against Rwanda in the seven 2026 World Cup qualifiers he has played with his erratic behaviour in the home game against Rwanda in Uyo last month proving he may well not be reliable after all.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has shaken off injury concerns and is fit for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 29-year-old sparked fears after being stretchered off in the 35^th  minute of Chippa United’s clash with Richards Bay. However, he eased worries by returning to action on Sunday, featuring in Chippa’s 3-0 loss to Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

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Though his club remain bottom of the South African Premier Division with just one point from five games, Nwabali’s availability is a huge boost for Nigeria. Head coach Eric Chelle had already named him in the final 23-man squad, banking on his recovery ahead of two pivotal fixtures.

Nigeria begin their qualifying run with a home tie against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before traveling to Bloemfontein to battle rivals South Africa.

With the Super Eagles needing maximum points to strengthen their qualification hopes, Nwabali’s return between the posts arrives at a critical moment.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been thrown into a fitness race after picking up an injury in Chippa United’s 1-0 defeat to Richards Bay in the South African Premier Soccer League on Tuesday evening.

The 29-year-old, who has been Nigeria’s first-choice since his standout performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, was forced off in the 35th minute and stretchered out of the game, sparking major concerns ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.

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His likely absence would be a huge setback for coach Eric Chelle as the Super Eagles prepare for must-win clashes against Rwanda and South Africa in September. Nigeria sit fourth in Group C with seven points, trailing South Africa (13) and Rwanda (8). They host Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 before traveling to Johannesburg to face South Africa on September 9.

With Nwabali’s availability now in doubt, Chelle may have to turn to Amas Obasogie or Adebayo Adeleye, who are both in the provisional squad. Teenage sensation Emmanuel Harcourt has also been monitored, but the 15-year-old is not expected to feature in such high-stakes encounters.

The coming weeks will be decisive, as Nigeria anxiously await updates on the fitness of their number one goalkeeper ahead of fixtures that could shape their World Cup destiny.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali said  Nigerians must have the conviction that all hope is not lost about the Super Eagle’  chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

Nigeria down in fourth spot in Group C with six points from six matches—one win, four draws, and one loss—trailing group leaders South Africa by six points and just behind Rwanda and Benin, who are tied in second and third place, Nwabali noted that the Eagles can still make it.

The three-time African champions are at risk of missing back-to-back World Cup tournaments following their absence from the 2022 edition in Qatar.

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But  Nwabali believes  all hope is not lost, with four crucial matches and 12 points still up for grabs.

 “It’s football — being Nigeria doesn’t automatically mean we’ll beat everyone,” Nwabali told Bold Sports. “We still have a good chance to qualify despite our current position. We’re focused on the next game, and we’ll keep pushing to turn things around.”

Nigeria will host Rwanda and travel to face South Africa in September before wrapping up their qualifying campaign in October with an away tie against Lesotho and a home fixture against Benin.

South Africa Premier League club Chippa United has sent a condolence message to Stanley Nwabali over the death of his mother on New Year day.

The Nigerian International lost his mother on New Year’s Day, a few months after he lost his father and a devastated Nwabali shared the updated on his social media account.

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The club yesterday  sent a message to the player and urged the club players, officials and others to respect his privacy.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Stanley Nwabali and his family following the passing of his beloved mother.

“We kindly request that everyone respect Stanley’s privacy during this difficult time,” the club said.

Barely two months after his father’s death, Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali  has been bereaved yet again.

The Chippa United FC Goalie is going through a tough time, having announced the devastating loss of his mother on social media yesterday.

The 28-year-old announced the passing to eternal glory of his mother yesterday evening on his official X (formerly Twitter) : “A very, very crazy world indeed, Rip mom, worst year of my life already.”

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The unfortunate incidence follows the death of his father which occurred on Friday, 15th November 2024 -barely two days before the Super Eagles last 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game with Rwanda in Uyo. A game the Eagles lost 2-1 to the Amavubi. 

As he tries to wriggle his way through this difficult period, Nwabali will be surrounded by love and support from his family, friends and teammates. The football community has also rallied around him, offering condolences on the unfortunate loss.