“I need to have a player with character” – Eric Chelle throws weight behind Stanley Nwabali despite erratic Lesotho performance

Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekhou Chelle has thrown his weight behind Nigeria's goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Chippa United number one came under heavy scrutiny during the October International break when the three-time AFCON Champions took on Lesotho and the Republic of Benin.

The 29-year-old's error led to a Lesotho goal, while another miscommunication mistake with Semi Ajayi almost led to the equaliser.

What's wrong with Nwabali there?

DeFi shouldn’t be complicated.
@Almanak__ takes care of strategy management so you can focus on the bigger picture.
Lesotho super eagles Nigeria lookman
World Cup ndidi
pic.twitter.com/t4HY7CEcWP https://t.co/8dG4W9xaz6

— Chiads (@Chiads11) October 10, 2025

A similar situation came up in Nigeria's 4-0 win over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where he ended up shoving the team captain, Wilfred Ndidi.

Look at this, the ref didn’t blow for foul initially, and Nwabali nonchalantly just dropped the ball. This is why Osimhen gets pissed at them. https://t.co/Y2QT9wI5rU pic.twitter.com/TOov1kleyk

— Ken (@RMCF_Ken) October 14, 2025

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Eric Chelle defends Nwabali

With the World Cup play-offs against Gabon on the horizon, the Franco-Malian manager has backed the former Enyimba goalkeeper, comparing him to his former teammate, Vedran Runje.

“I prefer to talk about it now. This is the emotion. Everybody talks about emotions. The reality is that nobody knows what I am asking my player,” the 47-year-old told Segun Odegbami in an interview on Eagle7FM.

I can't believe My eyes Brothers and sisters.

It was This Close ! They almost Lost a 2 Goal Lead !

What was he Thinking !pic.twitter.com/0dd6yVOIMw https://t.co/DYVoDZOSju

— Mr. Nigerian Football (@AJSilverCFC) October 10, 2025

“Maybe I ask Nwabali to be strong. I don't want a nice guy in my goal. I played with a goalkeeper whose name is Vedran Runje.

“He is a Serbian goalkeeper. The guy was so crazy on the pitch because he was so crazy, the defence, we were crazy too.”

“I need to have a player with character. Maybe sometimes he needs to relax, but the reality is Stanley gives everything for his team, teammates and his country.”

“So sometimes he makes some mistakes, and this is normal, but the reality is he gives everything,” Chelle continued.

“All the players in this team gave everything, and they will give everything again.

“He needs some time to be calmer, okay, but the reality now is that we have him against Gabon, and we will go with all the players who can bring something.

“Stanley, or maybe the other goalkeeper or players. I won't talk about what happened before; this is not important.

“The most important now is the game against Gabon,” the Super Eagles coach concluded.

With Maduka Okoye back in action after his suspension due to a betting scandal, there's competition between the sticks for Nigeria ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Gabon next month.