AFCON 2023: ‘I learned from Vincent Enyeama’ – Stanley Nwabali

Nigeria’s new addition, Stanley Nwabali has acknowledged the influence of former Nigerian captain Vincent Enyeama in his emerging career.

Since Enyeama’s retirement, several goalkeepers have been tested with only Ikeme possessing close qualities as the former Lille shot-stopper. The goalkeeping position has been one with no clear first choice with no fewer than six different goalkeepers keeping goal for the team in the past five years.

Recently, the goalkeeping crisis has been well publicized for many years with Uzoho failing to inspire confidence from fans, and his competition, Nwabali has started the last three matches for the Super Eagles.

Standing at 1.97m, the Chippa United goalkeeper made three crucial saves to secure a clean sheet and denied the Elephants goal-scoring chances as Nigeria revived its AFCON hopes following a 1-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire.

Speaking on his role model as goalkeeper, Nwabali spoke glowingly of Enyeama who has been regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest ever goalkeeper by many.

“I watched Vincent Enyeama a lot although I didn’t have the opportunity to watch him live at the stadium,” the Chippa United star told  ACLSports.

“I watched him play in France and our national team and what I really loved about this man is his composure and the command of his area. Vincent Enyeama was someone I always looked up to despite having different styles to him but I always looked up to him.

“I am not bothered about the future. I don’t really care if I’m here now and being left out in the future but this is my country and I want to really do my best for the country.

“I am not worried about the future, I’m just here to do my part. If it’s my time to stay, I stay and if it’s my time to leave, I’ll leave.”