Stanley ‘Bobo’ Nwabali is not only a physically imposing goalkeeper, he has made it clear he will go about his business and not be intimidated even by Super Eagles top stars.
“Man!I know my job!! I am not your little boy,” Nwabali barked back at one of the top stars of the Super Eagles who was trying to correct him in training in Abidjan.
This is a sharp departure from most of the new call-ups to the national team, who are easily overawed when they train alongside top stars like Victor Osimhen, Ahmed Musa and William Ekong.
A tough upbringing in Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital city of Lagos has prepared ‘Bobo’ (a pidjin English equivalent for the top guy) for the challenges in life and in his career.
His confidence, strong grip of the ball and commanding presence earned him the No 1 jersey at this AFCON ahead of Francis Uzoho and to the surprise of many.
Nwabali, 27, featured for several NPFL clubs, from Katsina United to Lobi Stars.
The giant goalkeeper let in four goals on his international debut against Mexico three years ago.
He conceded twice against Guinea in Dubai earlier this month, before he was beaten once by Equatorial Guinea at the AFCON.
On Thursday, he posted his first clean sheet for Nigeria in a historic 1-0 victory over AFCON hosts Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.
It was the Super Eagles first clean sheet since September 2023.
Coach Jose Peseiro’s widely reported flying visit to South Africa in December has already paid off big time.
In South Africa, he first tried out with second division All Stars, who had just relocated to Johannesburg from Cape Town.
They liked what they saw and wanted to sign him, but his agent chose to then take him to the Professional Soccer League (PSL) with Chippa United.
He eventually signed for the club and now he is being linked with a transfer both inside South Africa and overseas.
Chippa United are ready to sell their No 1 for a huge profit.
