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Stanley Nwabali details how he became a hero in his first major outing with the Nigeria Super Eagles at the AFCON 2023.
Nigeria’s goalkeeping hero Stanley Nwabali has revealed his grass-to-grace journey before emerging as an AFCON icon in Cote d’Ivoire.
Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Nwabali has revealed how he passed through different stages in the Nigerian leagues before his heroics at AFCON.
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Super Eagles' star goalkeeper, Nwabali, has openly declared his contentment at Chippa United, despite a standout performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that saw his stock rise significantly.
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AFCON 2023: Stanley Nwabali reacts to losing Best Goalkeeper Award to South Africa’s Williams
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Nwabali on his path to the Super Eagles
The 27-year-old shone on the biggest stage as Nigeria’s Super Eagles came close to AFCON 2023 glory in Ivory Coast.
Nwabali proved to be the solution to Nigeria’s goalkeeping problems since Vincent Enyeama and Carl Ikeme left the team as he relegated former number Francis Uzoho to the bench in the 34th AFCON.
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But despite his heroics which saw him break records en route to three clean sheets in seven matches, Nigeria came short against host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, in the final.
Speaking to Arise TV in a video shared by John Bosco on X after the tournament, the talented Chippa United shot-stopper reflected on his rise from humble beginnings in Nigeria’s domestic divisions and how he has not always been a goalkeeper.
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“I know football is like this and you must start from somewhere,” Nwabali said of how it began for him.
“I didn’t find myself in bigger teams or in a nice place when I started my football career. Initially, to be honest, I was not born as a goalkeeper.”
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He added that his circuitous route to national stardom included winning titles across the divisions in Nigeria, while also playing for now defunct Sharks of Port Harcourt before heading overseas.
Talking about football in general, how I found myself (here), I passed through different stages in the Nigerian league before I travelled out,” he added.
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“It’s just one year and a few months since I left Nigeria. So, I passed different stages, played the whole division in Nigeria and won all.
I remember when I started with Go Round FC because people didn’t know I went to Sharks - I was with them early stage but it didn’t work out and I went back to Go Round, where i started the lower division and we won.”
Nwabali has become a household name in Nigeria after playing a key role in the Super Eagles' impressive run to the final of the AFCON.
He also played Nigeria's most successful team, Enyimba FC, Lobi Stars, Wikki Tourist and Katsina United in the NPFL.
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