Stanley Nwabali at AFCON 2023: 5 reasons Nigerians applaud the Super Eagles keeper

Super Eagles' shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali has won the hearts of Nigerians with his stellar performance at the AFCON 2023.

As the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023, continues to unfold in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigerian football fans have been singing the praises of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nwabali has been one of the standout players for Nigeria in Ivory Coast and here are five compelling reasons why the Chippa United shot-stopper deserves the accolades coming his way from his compatriots. 

1. Nwabali’s composure on the ball

The former Wikki Tourist man has displayed exceptional composure when handling the ball, proving to be one of his standout traits. 

Amidst high-pressure situations, the Chippa star has been a welcomed calming and assured presence in possession which has helped the stability of the Super Eagles' back line.

2. Captain-like Inspiration

Beyond his technical abilities, Nwabali has also shown his leadership potential at the AFCON 2023. 

The manner with which he has galvanised his teammates so far and how he barks instructions keeping his defenders on their toes and alert have added a different dimension to the team. 

Also, his ability to uplift and motivate others, despite being a relatively new addition to the team, has been easy to spot as a trait that foster unity and team spirit.

3. Playmaking ability 

Another underrated trait he has exhibited is the ability to initiate plays from the back. While this was evident at his South African club, Nigerians are seeing a first-hand experience.

With each passing game, this trait from the goalkeeper contributes immensely to Nigeria’s overall play from the back, adding a dynamic to the general game plan.

5. Clean sheet and Save Percentage 

As reported by Pulse Sports, Nwabali’s performance in Ivory Coast has taken him to the top of ratings as he boasts of the best save rate in the competition.

With an average of 2.7 saves per game, Nigeria’s goalkeeper has a save rate of 88.9%, the highest in the competition.

This record has helped him to two clean sheets in three matches, displaying his shot-stopping skill that has also seen him win a save of the day award from CAF. 

5. Organisational Skills in Defense

Nwabali’s leadership at the back extends beyond just his impressive shot-stopping; he has also earned praise for his brilliant organisational ability.

The Chippa man is often seen screaming at the top of his voice, a vocal presence that was not so evident under Nigeria’s former number, Francis Uzoho.

This underrated skill has played a pivotal role in fostering a cohesive backline, thwarting opposition attacks with resilience and admirable compactness.

Bonus

Another reason for the applause from Nigerians is the fact that Nwabali’s aforementioned qualities have helped limit the appearance of Uzoho in goal.

Nigerians go into games now worrying less about who is in between sticks, at least for now. 

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