In the wake of Nigeria’s 1-0 victory against Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals, a notable moment occurred in the 59th minute when goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was seen passionately shouting at senior player Alex Iwobi. The incident followed a near-goal from Angola, initiated by a counter-attack that capitalized on Iwobi’s momentary lapse in midfield.

Explaining the incident to reporters in the mixed zone, Nwabali emphasized the team’s collective responsibility, stating, “It’s a team game, so everyone needs to switch on. It doesn’t matter, maybe it was our strategy at that moment. I don’t feel like anything happened, so it’s okay. You can see we’ve kept four clean sheets and conceded one goal. The guys are good. Our understanding is getting better as the game goes. We keep understanding each other.”

Despite facing doubts about his fitness due to a mild ligament injury suffered in the previous match against the Indomitable Lions, Nwabali received medical clearance to make his sixth consecutive start for the Super Eagles. Addressing questions about his fitness, he confidently stated, “I played ninety minutes today, so I hope to keep going.”

Nwabali, gaining popularity among Super Eagles fans, has emerged as a standout performer in the ongoing tournament. With a remarkable save percentage of 90.9% after five matches, he leads all goalkeepers at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

As Nigeria advances to the AFCON semifinals, Nwabali’s vocal leadership and stellar goalkeeping contribute to the team’s success, and he remains a key figure in their pursuit of continental glory.