Following Nigeria’s thrilling win over South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali Stanley took to Instagram to express his emotions, describing the victory as a dream come true.
In a heartfelt post, Nwabali exclaimed, “This is a game I’m born to play. A night to remember!!! I felt every bit of it!! Brick by brick and dreams are coming true.”
The standout goalkeeper, who made critical saves throughout the game, including two penalty stops during the shootout, emphasized his love for South Africa despite eliminating Bafana Bafana from the tournament.
“No love lost at all. I still love South Africa as much as their fans love me,” Nwabali affirmed. Despite making only his sixth appearance for the Super Eagles in the tournament, his outstanding performance, including a crucial save from a dangerous freekick, propelled the team to extra time against a formidable South African side.
Identifying himself as “Nwabali Stanley Bobo,” the goalkeeper expressed his deep affection for the team, acknowledging the collective effort of his teammates.
Prior to the match, Siviwe Mpengesi, Chairman of South African club Chippa United, voiced his support for Nwabali, praising his stellar performances that have garnered international acclaim for both the player and the club.
In an interview, Nwabali revealed his admiration for Manuel Neuer, stating, “I love watching my role model, I love watching Manuel Neuer even before my game.”
Making a remarkable comeback from injury, Nwabali equaled former goalkeeper Best Ogedegbe’s 44-year record by keeping a clean sheet in Nigeria’s quarter-finals win over Angola. His consecutive clean sheets in the tournament marked a historic achievement for the Eagles, surpassing previous records set by legendary goalkeepers.
With their victory over South Africa, Nigeria advances to the finals of the 34th edition of the AFCON, continuing their quest for a fourth tournament title. This significant milestone marks their first final appearance since their triumphant win in 2013.