Former Nigeria Coach Cautions Against Defensive Lapses
Former Nigeria coach, Jo Bonfrere, has urged Super Eagles defenders to ensure adequate protection for goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali during the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying play-offs in Morocco, Completesports.com reports.
Bonfrere warned that failing to protect Nwabali could lead to “careless” goals that might cost Nigeria a ticket to the global showpiece billed for Mexico, the USA, and Canada.
Speaking exclusively to Completesports.com from his home in Eijsden, Limburg, the Netherlands, the 79-year-old tactician emphasised that excessive exposure often causes goalkeepers to make costly errors under pressure.
Nwabali Needs Strong Defensive Support – Bonfrere Jo
According to the veteran coach, the entire team — not just the defenders — must contribute to defensive duties to shield Nwabali from undue pressure during matches.
“It’s important to get the defence to effectively protect the goalkeeper. This is not only for the defenders but every player — defenders, midfielders, attackers — they must come back on time to help defend, the same way defenders help out during attack,” Bonfrere told Completesports.com.
“This has to start from training. The manager must instruct the players on what to do, and they must practise it. The team must be well organised. When you expose the goalkeeper too much and he faces too much pressure, he’s bound to make mistakes — and that could be costly for the team.”
Nwabali Criticised For Costly Errors In Previous Matches
Nwabali has come under criticism recently following a string of errors, notably during Nigeria’s 2–1 win over the Crocodiles of Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Bonfrere believes the key to avoiding such situations lies in team coordination and discipline.
Bonfrere Recalls His Glory Days With Nigeria
Bonfrere Jo remains one of Nigeria’s most successful foreign coaches. In 1996, he guided the Dream Team I — Nigeria’s U-23 men’s football team — to Olympic gold after a thrilling 3–2 win over Argentina in the final.
Also Read: Nwabali, Bamayi Nominated For 2025 CAF Goalkeeper, Young Player Of The Year Awards
Four years later, in 2000, he led the Super Eagles to a silver medal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) jointly hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.
Nwabali, Super Eagles Eye 2026 World Cup Qualification
The former Dutch international expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, to be hosted for the first time across three countries — Mexico, the USA, and Canada.
“Super Eagles have top-class players, all of them playing in big clubs across Europe. Unfortunately, they didn’t start the qualifiers well,” he observed.
“But it’s good they’ve done well in the last two games and now have the opportunity to be in the play-offs. Like cats with nine lives, they’ll now fight in two matches — first against Gabon, and possibly Cameroon or DR Congo — for the ticket.”
By Sab Osuji
3 Comments
Hahahaha…….now our fake Enyeama needs to be protected…..? Please, who protected Okoye before Nigerians cut the poor boy into pieces for conceding a goal from a swerving long-range shot?
We have ended up fooling ourselves for almost 2 years now, only to be advised to revert to bus parking to protect Nwabali, like Peseiro did at the last AFCON…….LMAOoooo.
This is the worst time to be a SE fan. When you are not on Mount Sinai praying, Osimhen doesn’t suffer an injury, you are on Mount Zion praying, the host of angels come down to earth to mount the goal posts along with Nwabali on match day.
Someone should pls go on YouTube and watch both Chippa vs Marumo Gallants and Chippa vs Amazulu (2 of his last games) and see the wonderment that awaits us in the playoffs if something is not done and done fast.
Of course, it goes without saying, the defence must protect the goalkeeper, it is part of their duty. That said, it is the duty of a goalkeeper to protect the net. That is his utmost duty. Of what use is a goalkeeper that can’t perform his duty reasonably well.
Football is about the moment and form. If you are not in form, a good coach shouldn’t pick you. Been picked when out of form is a disservice to the player in question and the team at large. Only the best should play, this is more valid in a national team. There should be no room to be carried by the team. Everyone needs to pull their weight or get replaced.
The question is, (and this is in context of recent national team and club football form) if Nwabali is an outfield player, should he continue to keep his place in the first team or be replaced by an in-form player?
If we can replace Boniface with an Akor. And an Ekong (team captain) with a Frederick. Many have called for the replacement of Ndidi, Iwobi, Simon etc. from the starting eleven, why is Nwabali’s case different?
In as much as the coach has the final say, we should stand above hypocrisy and sentiments to critically look at things. The best should always play.
The truth of the matter is that Stanley’s own lapses in concentration have helped to drag his reputation through a hedge backwards.
He has been well protected. But he fumbles the ball and drops it altogether when he has no business doing so.
Nwabali still has enough credit in the bank of public sympathy. But for how long?
Okoye cannot seem to stay out of trouble. Though he has walked straight back into the starting 11 of his team, I still feel he is mentally fragile to wear the hot gloves for the Super Eagles.
I have never seen Amas Obaseki keep, however, why not take a gamble on him? He has been in camp several times and he has the build.
Talk about build, I think this is what lets Adebayo Adeleye down. He is nimble and quick but height remains a “shortcoming” hard to overcome. Though I have seen short goalkeepers in international football “rise” to greatness.
Anyway, good luck to the team.
I still feel Uzoho was discarded too soon. Yes he made some almighty howlers but, as we have seen with Nwabali, any Super Eagles goalkeeper can commit blinders