Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro hopes goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will be available for his team’s quarter-final clash with Angola.
Nwabali was forced out of Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Saturday night after colliding with Cameroon winger, Georges Nkoudou.
The 27-year-old, who had to be stretchered off the pitch was replaced by Omonia Nicosia’s Francis Uzoho 20 minutes from time.
The Chippa United shot stopper has caught the eye at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, conceding just once in four games.
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“We will assess the state of Nwabali’s injury in the next 24 to 48 hours. It’s difficult to assess his condition, at the moment ,” Peseiro said in a post-match conference.
“But I am hoping that he will be fit for the next match.I want him to play. And the players want him to play.
“We have 25 players here, there are other players who can do the job. If he can’t play we have a good replacement.”
The Super Eagles will face the Black Antelopes at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan next week Friday.
By Adeboye Amosu in Abidjan
Photo by Ganiyu Yusuf
35 Comments
Plalancas Negras
We really need Nwabali for that match, otherwise we have no other choice.
I pray he resume for the next match.
He is the only good keeper Nigeria has for now.
I knew he was better than Uzoho before the nations cup but yesterday match really showed that he is far far better than Uzoho. Ordinary shooting. of football from post to the players on the pitch Uzoho was shooting outside the pitch and creating throwing for opponent
I pray he recover fast and be ready for the next match.
There are other better goalkeepers in and outside of Nigeria, the only problem is the they need the trust and belief of our coaches.
When Ejide made a mistake, Enyeama took over. Ejide was home based when Onigbinde gave him his first international match in England. Nowadays calamity Uzoho is preferred by Peseiro if not Gods intervention. Peseiro was so ‘unfortunate’ to have backed Uzoho for that long. Thought Europeans value excellence …..
Stanley Nwabali is a modern-day class act goalkeeper, a real boss. Great with his feet, confident handling, excellent timing of crosses, great anticipation while rushing-off his line to snuff out danger, great command, game management and overall calmness. Mek God bless anybody that discovered him.
Did anyone notice when he threw a ball pass the center-circle??? That’s a great palm right there. He’s better than Okoye and Uzoho combined. I hope he gets a lucrative contract in Europe
The guy throws the ball farther than Uzoho was kicking it yesterday. It was unbelievable; and when Nwabali kicks it long, it’s like a direct pads to the attackers. We really need that guy back, if not our long ball strategy is gone and we would have to pass from the back, with likelihood of errors in defence.
Agreed 100%
I definitely saw that throw and it was on target. Na better hand.
Angola were a huge problem for Nigeria the last time we met (if memory recalls) and for some reason, I have marked them down as a bogey team for the SE’s – All pray that we can beat these and get over that road bump because from our last encounters – they seem to raise their game to their very max when meeting the SE’s and they don’t seem to fear or respect us at all – they bully us, intimidate us and are always ready to engage physically, they are very good technically as a team and are very bold and patriotic to their country – So many reasons why we (SE’s) must take this game extremely seriously!! I cannot stress this enough! We will need strong minds and legs, composure and jettison any fear on the day, rise up to every challenge they throw at us and overpower and then overcome them! This I’m afraid is the only way we must approach this game if it’s not to be our last – I will be a very relieved man if/when we win this game because not only will it mean we march on but hopefully it will also mean that we have broken that hoodoo of this rugged yet very technical and determined team and country being our bogey team – They seem to have our number and so we must fight tooth and nail to take that number back from them and instead leave after this game coming up with their own number in our pockets!
He who has eras let him hear wella!
A luta continua; vitória é certa!!
Ire O! Up SE’s!!
Nwabili has to return. He is the best goalkeeper we have.
If Nigeria plays 5 defenders against them I expect a high scoreline. We have to concede possession to them and let them tire out. With negative football it will be hard defeating Nigeria. The team set up is difficult for any opponent.
My hope is already dashed considering nwabali is going to be treated by the same quack dr. That treated sadiq and Yusuf, I will advice peeeiro to pls try the 3rd GK ojo in training before that Friday match, this uzoho to mean is like we dnt have a GK on the goal post, and I’m believe the defenders will feel the same.
Can Uzoho Step Up to The Plate in Nwabili’s Absence?
In 6 outings for the Super Eagles, Stanley Nwabili has already conceded a whopping 7 goals which on the face of it would suggest a poor goalkeeper.
But the former Lobi Stars goalkeeper is now the messiah between the sticks for Super Eagles fans and it begs the question why?
Nigeria fans went into this Afcon tournament with so much trepidation about the goalkeeping department. Uzoho was always found wanting when it comes to dealing with particular types of shots. Okoye was just getting worse and was having dwindling fortune in club football.
So that department was in dire need of a savour and many fans think they have found it in Stanley Nwabili.
Let’s be clear, Uzoho and Okoye faltered largely (recently) when Nigeria played with only 2 centre backs. When this was also the case with Nwabili, the Chippa United man conceded a massive 7 goals in just 3 games against Mexico (4), Guinea (2) and Equatorial Guinea (1).
So, how come Nigeria fans are happy to overlook Nwabili’s leaky moments and not be that forgiving of Uzoho and Okoye?
Well, sadly for Uzoho and Okoye, their poor performances came in high profile matches. Also for Uzoho particularly, his mishandlings came at regular intervals within a short space of time which are still very much fresh in the memory.
But crucially, Peseiro didn’t switch to a formation having 3 centre defenders in time enough to see how Uzoho will fare in it. Yes, under Gernot Rohr, both Uzoho and Okoye conceded goals with 3 centre defenders, but these were not the comical and embarrassing varieties.
Nwabili has really benefited from Peseiro’s change in formation. That said though, he does look very assured at the back and his giant frame provides an air of confidence. Nwabili has exhibited competence in parrying, punching and interception skills when called upon. His distributions are also as otherworldly as they are effective either with his feet or hands.
Formation or no formation, Nwabili is a highly competent goalkeeper. But so is Uzoho and Okoye in my humble opinion.
Now that the formation that exposed Uzoho’s weaknesses has been tossed in the trash bin, I don’t think Nigeria fans have anything to worry about if the Cyprus based man mans the post for the remainder of the tournament. That way, we will be able to compare apples with apples when comparing how Uzoho fares against Nwabili when situated in a similar formation.
Many fans are praying for Nwabili speedy recovery from injury, so am I. But, in the meantime, I firmly believe we have a more highly experienced goalkeeper in Uzoho who can equally get the job done in continuing this remarkable run of Super Eagles’ clean sheets if given the opportunity.
From having a goalkeeping crisis, a change in formation, rather than a change of goalkeepers, is what, in my view, has effectively addressed this problem!
So, as Nwabili has found a home in this new strategy, there is nothing to suggest that things will be any different for Uzoho.
I 100% disagree with you. The question should be, among the goals Nwabali conceded, how many of them were his fault? We all saw how Okoye’s ‘Ajibo’ hands couldn’t keep out a long distance shot from Msakni(Tunisia). We also saw Uzoho let in a Thomas Partey’s shot from Peru – denying us World Cup ticket. Uzoho was catching ‘ijiji’ against Saudi Arabia instead of ball. Ndidi nearly slapped him sef. Okoye and Uzoho’s horrendous goalkeeping can make an article.
Nwabali is better than Uzoho and Okoye combined. It’s not even close
John 1,
I see your passion which is encourageable. Perhaps Peseiro should try Olorunleke Ojo if (heaven forbid) Nwabili doesn’t recover on time.
If that happens, Ojo will only end up enjoying the same defensive protection in front of him that Nwabili and Uzoho enjoyed against Cameroon.
My brother, there’s nothing like defensive protection. A jittery keeper can still let-in a hopeful shot from North-Pole. Nigeria’s defence at the last Afcon was solid, yet Okoye let-in a harmless shot from Msakni. Uzoho couldn’t catch a ball that Thomas Partey shot from Japan and we missed out on 2022 World Cup.
When a lot of eye brows were raised as Nwabali awkwardly parried a long-distance freekick against Guinea Bissau, I just laughed to people lol. Judging by how Okoye and Uzoho had performed for Super Eagles, that ball would’ve beaten them. It was a delicate and difficult ball because it bounced just in front of Nwabali. Watch it again; you could see he went with both strong hands, that’s why the ball climbed over the post. Without his hands being firm, that was a goal. Nwabali is clear abeg. Uzoho can’t even take a simple goalkick!
@deo, your analysis is lopsided. You are comparing apples with oranges. Quote frankly your bias for Uzoho is very obvious. Let’s take a look at the 7 goals conceded by Nwabali, 4 came from a friendly when the home based team played against a Mexican team. He was playing with defenders that that had not seen international exposure before with perhaps poor football education and limited tactical sagacity. If I recall even the Mexican coach praised 2 players in the team, one was iwuala and the other was the goal keeper. If you put Alisson Becker in the same team, he will concede a basket of goals. The other 2 goals conceded against guinea in a friendly was his 1st game for the SE A team, there are
bound to be jitters. Besides, In that friendly, a lot of the 1st 11 players were rested which will suggest that we were spending more time defending than attacking.
Since the commencement of this afcon, he has done very well. He has been commanding, organised his defense very well and the result is 3 clean sheets and 1 conceded goal. Two of the clean sheets came against top teams like ivory Coast and Cameroon. Even the coach and the former coach ( Rohr) all agree that he is better but here you are still talking about experience and trying to push this uzoho agenda. What happened to ” You don’t change a winning team”? Your experienced goal keeper is the reason why we missed out on the world Cup, under his watch , we are sitting behind Rwanda and south Africa in the WC group. I am almost tempted to believe this not the real @deo. This is how they keep telling us of Musa’s experience but he has become the SE mascot, leave Stanley for us. He is our new number 1.
@deo you failed mention that uzoho presently has a confidence problem. This is the edge nwabsli has over him. Same with okoye who keeps running away from national duties
To me, it’s not that they are bad keepers though they have both conceded very cheap goals that have really caused Nigerians some pains.
We wish them well. But for this tournament it’s to our own good that we should stick with someone who has shown much promise and confidence. That’s wisdom.
I am not going to join anyone to say they are bad. Eagles has shown me in this tournament that I should stop condemning players. Ademola, onyeka etc have shown me in this tournament because I have seriously condemned them in Eagles shirt.
I won’t say either that nwabili is better than them too. It’s still early days for nwabili. I just pray he gets better to give uzoho and okoye a fight in eagles going forward.
We should also other goalkeepers that chance to stake a claim too
You need hot slap
Nwabali, get well soon.
EG is out. They have been bundled out by Guinea.
They had a good showing. The highlight of their tournament was the 4-0 spanking of the hosts CIV.
Ironically, CIV might just dispatch Senegal and move on to the quarterfinals, while their conquerors EG have already booked their flight home.
Football is a funny old game!
Nwabili is not seriously injured so no cause for alarm. We need him in goal.
With bobo, we shall win. bobo will be okay in Jesus name, Amen. They don’t call Uzohobasket for nothing.
Thanks for the feedback Golden Child and CMN. I guess we all wish Nwabili speedy recovery and restoration back to the Super Eagles starting 11.
But the point I am making is that, in the unfortunate event of Nwabili not being available, I think we now have a tactical approach and formation that can protect Uzoho far better than before.
Think about this for once, Uzoho was introduced against Cameroon at a time the Cameroonians were desperate for an equaliser. Despite that, Uzoho didn’t have 1 meaningful save to make in 20 minutes. That is the sort of protection Nwabili has enjoyed since the second game against Ivory Coast.
My confidence in Uzoho is more born out of my confidence for the solid defensive structural infrastructure of the team’s formation.
Guys I don’t mean to burst your bubbles o, but the way I see that Nwabali’s injury, judging from the way he fell on the right leg and positional movement of the knee………. looks like he might’ve injured (TORN) the Medial Collateral ligament (MCL) and the Anterior & Posterior Cruciate ligaments (ACL + PCL). Can you guys cast your mind back to Uzoho’s injury during Brazil’s friendly match?
This injury will definitely require surgery and that means Nwabali may be sidelined for up to 4 months
Though I really hope and wish this is not the case with Nwabali but from my Professional point of view regard that injury process, I can categorically say those ligaments will be involved except if him don chop plenty Akpu to strengthen his knee joint beyond any injury
My Prayers are with him and I truly wish him a speediest recovery, it’ll be my joy to see him between the polls against Angola
DR BANKS welcome back. I miss you. Where have you been my bro…
My dear brother na work o, but I always read your posts and never needed to defend your cause because I see you were equal to the task…………you dey give them wotowoto as much as they throw your way.
Keep it up bro!!!
Lol. But seriously @DR BANKS if not that my country na Padi Padi country brilliant minds like you should have been part of the se medics team at the afcon and then Sadiq, ndidi etc injury would have been handled more professionally…
… Looks like he might’ve injured (TORN) the Medial Collateral ligament (MCL) and the Anterior & Posterior Cruciate ligaments (ACL + PCL)…. Lolzz. Its becoming absolutely comical visiting this site recently.. Dr Banks na football site we dey ooo. Lolzz.
NOW, brodaman Dr Bank wetin happen to Sadiq Umar? I am just hoping you were not part of that team of doctors.
@Glory, Sadiq had a minor sprain to the knee, this is usually characterised by early pain and swelling the quickly resolve with anti-inflammatory meds and few days rest.
However much blame should not be directed to the medical team of SE at that time, this is because it is difficult to ascertain accurately the differentials between a sprained ligament and torn ligaments by physical examination only. Further tests like MRI scan will be required (which was not available to the medical team at that moment).
So the NFF medical team decided to be cautious based on the past history of Sadiq injury, remember he only just recovered after surgery to his cruciate ligaments of the knee which kept him off the pitch for 9 months.
Since they only have a 24 hr deadline for replacement, it was safer to send Sadiq back to Spain where his club medics can organise MRI scan to have a definitive diagnosis and manage accordingly.
So it’s safer for Sadiq to miss AFCON but safe his career!!!
Thanks brodaman @ Dr Banks for the explanation. Just that the conviction in your statement scared me into thinking that, if Nwabali was to be right in front of you, he could have suddenly, started feeling pains all around those areas even when nothing may have happened.
That happened to me back in the days, when my teams medics, looked straight in my eyes and immediately concluded, that my tibia and fibula had suffered serious damage leading to dangerous meniscus tears/leak. And before he could go any further, I collapsed, only to wake up in the hospital with the good news, I had only suffered some sprain and nothing else.
@Glory, thanks for your feedback, the good thing is that Nwabali has a good bulk of muscles protective from an easy damage to the ligaments. So I will possibly exclude a cruciate ligament damage (the worst).
I saw a video of him walking round the pitch today with a limp, so I believe it might not be that serious, but let’s wait for the MRI scan report
I wish Nwabali quick recovery. This is what I’m saying. Injury is part of the game.
It is a big shame to coach Paseiro, who failed to have a solid three goalies in his team.
If Nwabali failed to recover in time, can the gaffer put his trust in Olorunleke because Uzoho had tested before, and he failed woefully, but can the coach be bold enough to put Olorunleke in action against Angola?
Why did we panic before the match against Angola if the coach and NFF did their job well? Simply put, corruption has eaten deep in our system. This is why I still don’t believe in this coach Paseiro, but I wish him well.
Nigerians are now praising Nwabali, but none of them remember “ọmọ9ja” that discovered Nwabali for the national team.
This is why it is not that easy for black people to appreciate somebody like ọmọ9ja, but I give thanks to God for my achievements so far.
Whoever called Nwabali’s name, ọmọ9ja name will pop up in their minds. That alone is huge for me. Wishing you well, Nwabali. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Omo9ja, you knocked me down with the feather of laughter when you said you discovered Stanley Nwabili for the national team! You really made my day.
Thanks bro. Yes, perhaps Peseiro should just try Olorunleke Ojo but I think Uzoho is second in line to the throne.
Lolzzzz. @ Deo e shock you? U nor read science is discovery? We’ve got loads on this forum; THE I thing. Reason Nigeria is where it is today.