Stanley Nwabali: Super Eagles goalie reacts to losing AFCON GK award to South Africa’s Williams

The Chippa United shot-stopper was one of the most outstanding footballers at the 34th edition of the continental championships

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has applauded South Africa’s Ronwen Williams for being recognised as the best goalkeeper at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

Williams was named the winner of the Best Goalkeeper award for his excellent performances at the tournament.

The Mamelodi Sundowns goalie kept five clean sheets and conceded only three goals in seven games for the Bafana Bafana.

Nwabali was also a candidate for the award after recording four clean sheets heading into the final match against Cote d’Ivoire.

Sadly, the Elephants defeated Nigeria’s Super Eagles, with Nwabali conceding two goals and waving bye to both the AFCON trophy and the best goalkeeper honour.

Still, Nwabali is not disheartened about losing the award to Williams, insisting that the 32-year-old is deserving of the recognition.

“Ronwen Williams is a very good goalkeeper, to be honest,” Nwabali said.

“I am competing with this kind of guy and he has the chance to win the best goalkeeper of the tournament; he deserves it.”

Nigeria’s defeat to Cote d’Ivoire is the fifth time the former winners will lose an AFCON final, having suffered defeat in 1984, 1988, 1990, and 2000.