Stanley Eguma Backs Nwabali for European Move After AFCON Heroics

Former Enyimba and Rivers United head coach Stanley Eguma has expressed confidence that Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is ready to compete in Europe’s top leagues following his standout performances at consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments.

Nwabali was Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where the Super Eagles finished runners-up, and again at the 2025 edition in Morocco, where the team claimed a bronze medal. His consistency, composure, and leadership between the posts have drawn widespread praise and growing transfer interest.

The 28-year-old recently parted ways with South African Premier Soccer League side Chippa United and is reportedly attracting attention from Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca and Tanzania’s Simba SC, with the latter believed to be leading the race for his signature.

Speaking to Complete Sports, Eguma said that while the final decision rests with the player, he believes a move to Europe would be the most fitting next chapter in Nwabali’s career.

“It’s his career, and he has the prerogative to choose the club that offers the best welfare and career-enhancing opportunities,” Eguma said.

However, the experienced tactician — who served as assistant coach when Enyimba won the 2004 CAF Champions League — insisted that Nwabali’s recent achievements warrant a move beyond the African continent.

“With two AFCON medals — silver and bronze — as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, I believe Europe should be his next career step,” he added.

Eguma also highlighted Nwabali’s attributes, describing him as physically imposing, agile, and mentally sharp.

“He has good height, a strong physical presence, excellent reflexes, and great alertness. In my view, he has little left to prove in Africa,” he said.

Despite backing a European switch, Eguma reiterated that the ultimate decision belongs to the player.

“As I said, it’s his career. The next club he chooses is entirely his decision,” he concluded.

With interest mounting and his stock rising after back-to-back AFCON tournaments, Nwabali’s next move could prove decisive in shaping the next phase of his career.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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