Dream come true, says Nwabali

After Nigeria’s thrilling victory over South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali Stanley was overcome with emotion.

“This is a game I’m born to play. A night to remember!!! I felt every bit of it!!” Nwabali exclaimed in a post via his Instagram handle on Wednesday. “Brick by brick and dreams are coming true.”

The in-form goalkeeper made several saves in the game including two penalties during the penalty shoot-out. Despite eliminating Bafana Bafana, Nwabali made it clear he still has love for South Africa.

“No love lost at all. I still love South Africa as much as their fans loves me,” Nwabali said.

The 27-year-old was making just his sixth appearance for the Super Eagles in the tournament. His late save following a dangerous freekick was enough to push the game to extra time against a tough South African side was a dream come true.

“My name is Nwabali Stanley Bobo and I love this team with all my heart. Safe hands,” he said, crediting his teammates.

Earlier before the game, Siviwe Mpengesi, Chairman of South African football club, Chippa United, threw his weight behind the club’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, ahead of the CAF African Cup of Nations semi-finals match between Nigeria and South Africa.

As contained in a statement shared by the club’s X handle on Wednesday, Mpengesi stated that Nwabali’s performances have “caught the eyes of the globe, earning him and our club international acclaim.”

Speaking in an interview on Monday, Nwabali said he loves watching videos of Manuel Neuer and playing him on Play Station.

In the video posted by photojournalist Pooja on X, the Super Eagles keeper said, “I love playing my PlayStation, I love watching my role model, I love watching Manuel Neuer even before my game, even two days before my game, even in the dressing room, I always watch him, and even before my game, I always play my PlayStation.”

Coming back in time from the injury, Nwabali equaled former shot-stopper Best Ogedegbe’s 44-year record after keeping a clean sheet in Nigeria’s 1-0 quarter-finals win over Angola.

After keeping another clean sheet against the Angolans, the 27-year-old became the first Eagles goalkeeper to keep four consecutive clean sheets in a major tournament in 44 years, surpassing Alloy Agu’s three games in a row in 1990.

The Eagles beat the Palancas Negras on Friday to progress to the semi-finals and beat South Africa on Wednesday to advance to the finals of the 34th edition of the AFCON.

The Super Eagles continue their quest to win the tournament for the fourth time, having done so in 1980, 1994 and 2013. This is their first final since 2013 when they last won the cup.