Stanley Nwabali, Super Eagles goalkeeper, mourns the passage of his father one day after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Benin Republic in an AFCON qualifier in Abidjan.
Goalkeeper for that crucial match, Nwabali made the sad revelation on his social media page. “I can’t help, I wish you knew what you have done. Goodbye Dad. RIP Dad,” he wrote in a heart-touching tribute.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper has been an integral part of Nigeria, especially after his heroics at the 2023 AFCON, when he kept four clean sheets in seven games and nailed his status as the first choice goalkeeper of the team. Known for his calmness under pressure, Nwabali’s contribution has been immense in recent times for the Super Eagles.
News of his father’s passing has sent shockwaves through the camp of the Super Eagles. Some teammates, including Victor Boniface and William Troost-Ekong, utilized social media to reach out with words of prayer and comfort for Nwabali: “Stay strong, bro,” Boniface wrote as a comment, showing the camaraderie in the squad.
The bond of the Super Eagles stays strong while the team rallies around Nwabali at this testing time ahead of their next challenge.