AFCON 2023: Stanley Nwabali breaks 44-year-old Nigeria’s goalkeeping record

Stanley Nwabali has etched his name in Nigeria’s football history books after keeping four consecutive clean sheets at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire on Friday.

The Chippa United goalkeeper kept a cleansheet as the Super Eagles defeated Angola 1-0 in the quarterfinal tie in Abidjan.

The feat saw the 27-year-old enjoying a 44-year-old record-breaking run that surpasses the previous Nigerian mark of three straight clean sheets held by Best Ogedegbe in Afcon 1980 and equalled by Alloy Agu ten years later.

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.

Prior to the Angola game, Nwabali had kept clean sheets against Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Guinea-Bissau as he only conceded a goal in their opening group match against Equatorial Guinea.

The Super Eagles safe hands continued his brilliant form in Cote d’Ivoire, as he denied the Palancas Negras with some good saves en route to his fourth clean sheet in five matches in the tournament.

He has helped Jose Peseiro’s men to qualify for the semi-final of the AFCON with his confident passing, precision in claiming crosses, and composure between the sticks.

Nwabali will hope to continue his impressive record when Nigeria face the winner between South Africa and Cape Verde in the last four.