Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has told Nigerians not to wait for him to commit a mistake but to encourage him and the rest of the team as they seek to win a fourth Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Peseiro’s decision to name Nwabali as the team’s first choice goalkeeper caused a stir with some praising his move as bold, while others questioned his decision to leave Francis Uzoho on the bench.
So far, however, the 27-year-old has been solid in goal, helping the Super Eagles to four points from two group stage games.
“To me, I’m not the best and I don’t think I’m going to be the best because we have a lot of goalkeepers that have played and won trophies for the country,” he told Osasu Obayiuwana in an interview.
“Please don’t wait for my mistakes. I need, we need, encouragement from #Nigerians, at this #AFCON.” – @NwabaliBobo, @NGSuperEagles goalkeeper, in a one-on-one chat with me on Saturday… pic.twitter.com/uqRxiGT32A
— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) January 20, 2024
“Even if I win a trophy for the country, I don’t still feel like the best because I only just want to see my family happy and people watching me to be happy.
“So talking about quality goalkeeper, talking about Nigeria having problems with goalkeepers. It happens everywhere, countries having issues with the goalkeepers, but only what I want to say to them:
“Don’t wait for my mistake, don’t wait when I make a mistake. Now you come out to talk, now it’s time for you to encourage everyone. Don’t wait for my mistake.”
On his experience at his first AFCON tournament, the Chippa United keeper said it has been nice although he refuses to be called the first choice.
“It has been nice, it has been nice to be honest. It has been God throughout but being the first choice, no I’m not the first choice, Uzoho is still the first choice. I only had an opportunity to play so I just feel like when I have an opportunity to play I just need to do my best. We’re talking about the first choice who’s always the first choice of the club,” he said.