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Stanley Nwabali urges Super Eagles to raise standards after World Cup Qualifying setback
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has called for greater commitment and preparation from Nigeria after the team’s faltering 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Speaking at Braam Fischer Airport in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, following Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa, Nwabali admitted the team could have done more.
“We (as a team) should have made more effort to qualify for the FIFA WORLD CUP 2026. We left it very late. We have an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to prepare for and I hope we take that very seriously,” he told journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana while waiting for a flight to Johannesburg.
Nwabali warned that African football is becoming more competitive, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford complacency.
“The rest of Africa is coming up and we should not expect easy games on the continent anymore. We must prepare properly if we want to win and qualify for tournaments.”
The Chippa United shot-stopper confirmed he played through pain during September’s qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
“Yes, I played with an injury to my ankle. It was still swollen,” he revealed.
Asked about his aggressive reaction in the match against Rwanda — an incident that could have led to a red card if Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was in use — Nwabali admitted frustration.
“I was not in a good mood during that game because of the way some of the Rwandan players were behaving towards me. I was quite upset about it,” he said.
Nwabali’s contract with South African side Chippa United FC runs until the end of the season.
He expressed his ambition to move to Europe when the opportunity arises.
“I would like to be in Europe now. But I have a contract with my current club, who were not prepared to let me go. I have to honour the contract I signed,” he explained.
