Chippa United and Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali expressed his delight at making his first Africa Cup of Nations appearance.
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Stanley Nwabili, who has been linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs has reacted to making his international debut for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili received the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to represent his national team at the prestigious continental tournament.
Speaking after the Super Eagles 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, the shot-stopper expressed delight at the occasion, and shared an inspirational message for aspiring footballers in his home country.
“I feel so excited, I feel happy being among this amazing team,” he said per Naija News.
“I will only tell everyone playing in the NPFL not to lose hope. It’s surely going to happen. Just believe in yourself regardless of where you are and where you are coming from.”
Nigeria national team coach Jose Peseiro, meanwhile, revealed how he decided to include the 27-year-old in the squad that would take part in AFCON 2023, and why he “believes in him”.
“There were not many videos of the South African league available for us. But some friends sent us videos of Nwabili’s matches in the South African league,” Peseiro told NFF TV via SportsRation.
“I asked the NFF President to let me go there. So, I was there in South Africa for four days to speak with him, I spoke to the coach, and a lot of people.
“I watched the trainings, the practice, and I watched one match. In the final list we decided to add him in the list after the whole evaluation.
“We believe in him because he showed good quality, good performance, and good capacities. Now I hope he displays the same quality he shows at his club.”
The Chippa United number one will be keen to put on another showing when his side take on hosts Ivory Coast in what many consider to be a must-win encounter for the Super Eagles.
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