Maduka Okoye is a very good goalkeeper and my brother, says Nwabali 

Ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa, Stanley Nwabali said he’s not under any pressure due to goalkeeping competition and hailed his compatriot Maduka Okoye as ‘a very good goalkeeper and his brother.” 

Nwabali and Okoye are both in the 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic this month. 

Okoye made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2019 – two years before Nwabali. However, the Udinese goalie has not been in action for Nigeria since their round of 16 exit against Tunisia at the 2021 Nations Cup. 

He has been in fine form for Udinese though, helping the Italian outfit remain in the Serie A and could be back between the sticks for the Super Eagles.

But current starter Nwabali has no problem with that. “I am not under pressure,” Nwabali said. “I have watched his matches and he’s a very good goalkeeper and he’s also my brother. 

“It’s nice representing your country and him being in the team is going to motivate the team. If you have a team where the goalkeepers are good, you won’t have any problems.”

Nwabali was in goal when Nigeria beat South Africa the last time the two nations met – which was during the 2023 Afcon, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up.

Nigeria will face South Africa on Friday, 7 June in Uyo before meeting with Benin three days later.