Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has moved to calm concerns surrounding Nigeria’s defensive performances at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), maintaining that there is no panic within the team despite failing to keep a clean sheet so far in the tournament.
Nigeria have conceded three goals across their opening two Group C fixtures, a statistic that has drawn scrutiny from observers. However, the Super Eagles have more than compensated at the other end of the pitch, scoring five goals to record back-to-back victories and secure early qualification for the round of 16.
The campaign began with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Tanzania before Nigeria produced a thrilling 3–2 victory against Tunisia on Saturday. Those results guaranteed maximum points from the first two matches, though the late drama against Tunisia sparked debate about the team’s ability to close out games defensively.
Nigeria looked firmly in control after goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman gave them a commanding 3–0 lead. However, the Carthage Eagles mounted a late comeback, with Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi scoring in quick succession to set up a tense finish. Tunisian captain Ferjani Sassi nearly completed the comeback in stoppage time, but his header narrowly missed the target.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Nwabali rejected claims that the Super Eagles are heading into the knockout rounds with defensive weaknesses.
“In tournaments like this, conceding goals is normal. Even the best teams in the world concede,” the 29-year-old said. “I don’t think there is a problem with our defence. At the last AFCON, we kept clean sheets in our first two games, but overall, the team has improved. Of course, as a goalkeeper, I want clean sheets, and it hurts to concede, but we move forward together as a team.”
He also pointed out that Tunisia’s goals came from set-piece situations, an area the team continues to work on. “We scored from set pieces and they scored from one as well. That is one of their strengths. You can’t fix everything at once, but we are constantly trying to improve,” he added.
Nwabali has firmly established himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper after breaking into the Super Eagles setup ahead of the 2023 AFCON, hosted in Côte d’Ivoire. His consistent performances have seen him overtake Francis Uzoho and Ojo Olorunleke in the pecking order.
Despite the competition for places, Nwabali was quick to emphasize the unity within the goalkeeping department, noting that there is no tension behind the scenes.
“My first AFCON was with Francis, and I knew Amas before I left Nigeria,” he said. “They are great people and like family to me. We support and cover each other. There’s no negativity or bad energy at all.”
Having already booked their place in the knockout phase, the Super Eagles will conclude their Group C campaign against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m., as they look to maintain momentum ahead of the decisive stages of the tournament.
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