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Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, made a name for himself during the recent AFCON tournament, not just for his impressive saves but also for his humble and inspiring attitude.
In this exclusive interview, he sheds light on his experiences, the support of his teammates, and his future aspirations.
Interviewer: You know, where did you find the courage to keep the goal the way you did, so passionately?
Nwabali: For me, it's something I, it's quite difficult when starting, like, it's quite difficult. But talking about how I play this AFCON, for me, it's the help from my teammates, to be honest. These guys, they really tried for me, guided me.
Apart from my teammates, the management of the team guided me. It's my first AFCON, it's really difficult for some goalkeepers.
The first time being in a bigger tournament like this, it's really tough. But I, things get going, like, how my teammates always encourage me, like, you can do more better.
We've seen training, we've seen a game, a couple of friendly games. You just need to be yourself and just play your football.
So, people always talk about how I play my football, in terms of confidence. The confidence comes from my teammates, to be honest.
Because we have a lot of leaders in the team, who always guide me, even when things are not going well.
They go the extra mile, like, to talk to me. Like, sometimes, before I even receive any information from the coaches, they always tell me what to do, because they have been there before me.
So, I really appreciate them a lot, like, in my calmness, how I play this tournament. To me, I give them credit, to be honest.
Interviewer: You know, listening to you, Stanley, and saying that you give credit to your teammates, and especially those that have gone ahead of you, tells me one thing, that you're a leader as well.
It takes a leader to understand another leader. And you've played your games here in Nigeria, or in South Africa, and now, Africa.
Now, looking at all that you've done, from home, till this moment, how would you rate the performances so far, with those big names from all other African countries coming before you?
Nwabali: Yeah, I know football is like this, you must start somewhere. But, like, I didn't find myself in a bigger team, or maybe I didn't find myself in a nice place when I started my football career.
Initially, to be honest, I was not born as a goalkeeper. But, talking about football in general, like, how I find myself, like, I passed through different stages in the Nigerian League before I travelled out.
Because it's just one year and a few months ever since I left Nigeria. So, but I passed different stages in terms of football in Nigeria. I played the whole division in the Nigerian League.
Interviewer: So, you got all the training that you would get before going to the World States. I played the whole division in the Nigerian League, and I won the whole division.
Like, in each division I played, I won all. Because I remember when I started with Goran Debsi because people don't really know, I went to Sharks of Otakot.
I am with Sharks of Otakot at any stage, but it didn't work that much. So, I came back to Goran Debsi, where I started the lower division there.
You're not an overnight success. There was time for… Yeah, I learned a lot. Before you got here. A lot, yeah.
Interviewer: Right, so, very quickly, I wish we had all the time, you know, to talk a lot more. Your people in Okusi didn't eat their food because of, you know, not picking the cup.
But I'm sure by now they would, I mean, just seeing you, knowing that you're back in the country, maybe their appetite would be stimulated now.
But let's talk about your teammate, Alex Uwobi, the cyberbullying. How does that make you feel?
Nwabali: You see, it's not really nice, to be honest. I know I hope to watch this interview. It's not really nice, to be honest. Like, I know the country we find ourselves in, like, everyone is desperate to win.
Everyone needs this tournament. Everyone needs this cup. Even when you're playing against the biggest country in the world, you want to win. I understand, and I like it, and I enjoy that spirit.
Because when you talk about Alex, you will be, what is going on? Like, to be honest, even me, like, sometimes I feel emotional when time to Maduka and Francis. So, like, when I look at Francis, I always tell him, in my mind, I tell him, bro, you're a man.
Like, it's not easy. A lot of players always break down. To be really honest, because if it happens to me, I'm going to break down. But it takes a strong guy, like, they're passing through a lot. It's not easy.
But I'm saying this, I'm saying this, because I can remember the interview I grant towards the AFCON period. I told them, man, I know a lot of people are waiting for me to make a mistake.
A lot. Because most of them are just waiting for me to make a mistake, and maybe then they show themselves. Maybe on the internet or something. But it's not nice. It's not nice. You really need to wish everyone well. Absolutely. Because a lot of people make mistakes.
Interviewer: And the president was there to wish you well and to give you a heroic welcome. How did that feel? And with all those gifts, I mean, just land, flats, so many things, MON.
Nwabali: To be honest, to be honest, I didn't expect this coming from the president, to be honest. But even when he was announcing everything, bro, I feel like, imagine when we win the cup. Yeah, you can imagine. Amazing.
Interviewer: So quickly before you go, what's the future for our own GS Stanley?
Nwabali: You know, a lot of people always send me messages like Stanley, we wish you to go to Europe, we wish you to go to a bigger club. Like, I really appreciate that wish, to be honest.
But what's nice about me, I always feel comfortable, even in a small place, I always feel comfortable. Wait for the nice one.
I don't rush, like, I don't like rushing. Because I could remember my interview three years back when I was opportune to play for Nigeria against Mexico. They were like granting me an interview.
I was saying, I don't know if this day is going to come, to be honest, but I know one day it's going to come. And that day has come.
