Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has revealed his readiness for the Super Eagles’ semi-final clash against South Africa at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
While this match is poised to be an explosive bragging rights decider between both African giants, the stakes are higher for Nwabali who plies his trade for Chippa United in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL). He’ll be facing familiar foes in a Bafana Bafana team that mostly consists of PSL players.
Ahead of this mouth-watering clash against the Bafana Bafana at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake on Wednesday night, the 27-year-old goalkeeper was quoted via thenff.com saying, “I know them and they know me. It will be an interesting evening in Bouake,” after he had earlier revealed his desire to face Hugo Broos’s side before their semi-final decider against Cape Verde.
“Both Cape Verde and South Africa are good teams, but I want to play against South Africa,” he said.
“I really wish to see how my defence will fare against them. Yes, most of their players know me and I also know them.”
What you missed
Back in December 2023, Jose Peseiro, in an effort to solve the existential goalkeeping crisis in the Super Eagles camp went to see Stanley Nwabali in action for Chippa United against the Golden Arrows in the PSL—a move that has, to an extent, yielded positive fruits. Peseiro’s visit back then beamed light on Nwabali’s abilities, where he was compared to South Africa’s Ronwen Williams whom PSL expert Rob Edwards believes is the best in the league, above Nwabali.
“Take a look at his (Nwabali) numbers and you will see how identical it is to that of Williams. They both have six clean sheets from the first eleven games of the season so far, even though one plays for a modest team while the other plays for a team that is about the best in the league.
“Nwabali is easily the second-best goalkeeper in the PSL. I will pick Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns over him but when you consider the team they play for then you will have to respect Nwabali,” Edwards told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Nwabali vs Williams
While the world is looking forward to Nigeria vs South Africa on Wednesday, the PSL duo of Nwabali and Williams will also be the centre of attraction, as two of the likeliest goalkeepers to eventually win the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Both shot-stoppers have kept four clean sheets after five games in Côte d’Ivoire 2023, with Williams slightly ranked higher after saving four penalty shootouts in his side’s win over Cape Verde.
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