Four-midable Stanley Nwabali breaks 44-year Nigerian record at AFCON

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has etched his name into Nigerian history after keeping four consecutive clean sheets at the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Nwabali's record-breaking run surpasses the previous Nigerian mark of three straight clean sheets held by Alloy Agu and equalled Best Ogedegbe’s 44-year-old record.

The 27-year-old continued his brilliant form in Cote d’Ivoire, helping Jose Peseiro’s Eagles to a semifinal spot at the AFCON 2023.

Nwabali denied the Palancas Negras with some good saves en route to his fourth clean sheet in five matches in the tournament.

The latest shut-out against the Angolans earned him a spot in Nigerian history books after he surpassed Alloy Agu’s three clean sheets in a row, set in 1990 while he equalled a record of four clean sheets set by legend Best Ogedegbe over four decades ago. 

The late Ogedegbe was the last Super Eagles goalkeeper to keep four clean sheets in a row after he inspired Nigeria to its first-ever AFCON title in 1980.  

Nwabali, who plays in the PSL, for Chippa United, has been one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the 34th AFCON after he displaced former shot-stopper Francis Uzoho in Ivory Coast.