AFCON 2025: Nwabali insists conceding goals is part of tournament football

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has played down criticism surrounding Nigeria’s defensive performances at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Lobi Stars goalkeeper insists there is no cause for alarm despite the team failing to keep a clean sheet so far.

Nigeria has already secured qualification for the Round of 16 from Group C but has conceded three goals in two matches, edging Tanzania 2–1 before surviving a late scare to beat Tunisia 3–2 on Saturday.

The Super Eagles appeared firmly in control against Tunisia after goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman handed them a 3–0 lead.

However, a spirited late rally from the Carthage Eagles saw Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi score within the final 15 minutes, turning the match into a tense affair.

Nigeria was relieved to hold on, with Tunisian captain Ferjani Sassi narrowly missing a stoppage-time equaliser when his header flashed just wide.

Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Nwabali was calm when addressing concerns about Nigeria’s defensive solidity.

“In tournaments like this, you are bound to concede goals. Even the best teams in the world concede goals,” the goalkeeper said.

He added that he does not believe Nigeria’s defence is underperforming.

“I don’t see any problem in the defence. At the last AFCON, we kept clean sheets in our first two games, but things have improved overall. We also want to keep clean sheets, and it pains me when I concede, but we keep going as a team.”

Nwabali also pointed out that Tunisia’s goals came from areas the Super Eagles were already aware of.

“We scored from set pieces, and they also scored from a set piece. That is probably one of their strengths. Sometimes you can’t correct everything, but we try to deal with it,” he explained.

With qualification already secured, Nigeria will conclude its Group C campaign against Uganda on Tuesday.