Nwabali Explains Frustration Despite Super Eagles’ Win Over Tunisia
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has opened up on why he felt disappointed despite Nigeria’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The South Africa-based shot-stopper admitted that conceding two late goals against the Carthage Eagles was painful, stressing that keeping a clean sheet remains a personal and collective priority for the team.
Nigeria were dominant for large spells of the encounter. Victor Osimhen’s first-half header gave the Super Eagles a deserved lead at the break, before Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman extended the advantage to 3–0 in the second half. However, Tunisia mounted a late fightback, scoring twice to reduce the deficit and put pressure on Nigeria in the closing minutes.
Reflecting on the game, Nwabali said conceding goals is something he takes personally, even in victory.
“First game, second game… we really don’t wish to concede. We really wish to keep a clean sheet. It pains me a lot when I concede but we keep going as a team,” he told journalists after the match.
The goalkeeper has now conceded three goals in two games at the tournament and admitted he hopes to avoid letting in any more as the competition progresses. He added that maintaining clean sheets would boost his chances of contending for the Best Goalkeeper award at AFCON 2025.
Opinion: Nwabali’s reaction speaks volumes about his mentality. While fans may focus on the win and Nigeria’s attacking brilliance, goalkeepers often judge themselves by different standards. His frustration shows a hunger for excellence rather than complacency. That said, the late goals conceded against Tunisia highlight lingering defensive lapses that could prove costly against stronger opponents. If Nigeria are serious title contenders, tightening up at the back will be just as important as scoring freely up front. For Nwabali, channeling that disappointment into sharper focus could be the difference between a good tournament and a great one.
As the Super Eagles march on, their goalkeeper’s quest for clean sheets may yet become a defining subplot of Nigeria’s AFCON campaign.
