Nigeria‘s display in the first 70 minutes against Tunisia was one of the best football the Super Eagles have played for the first time in a long time.
However, the final 15 minutes marred what could've been a brilliant all-round display. Goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman gave Eric Chelle's men a 3-0 lead.
Somehow, Tunisia crawled back into the game. Montassar Talbi headed one back for Tunisia in the 74th minute before Ali Abdi's penalty made it two for Sami Trabelsi's side.
The Super Eagles are now without a clean sheet in their last five games, raising concerns about their defensive setup.
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Stanley Nwabali: Should Nigerians be worried?
While not all of the goals Nigeria conceded were Nwabali's fault, they could've been completely avoided.
Bright Osayi's deflection against Gabon, Wilfred Ndidi's error against DR Congo, an uncleared cross against Egypt and Tanzania, and two set-piece goals against Tunisia.
Over the last four games Nigeria have played, the goals Nwabali has conceded have seen him rooted to the spot, barely moving in the direction of the ball.
Last night at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, after Tunisia scored two, Nwabali's faults were full on display, as he tried to claim about four crosses, but none of them came clean despite his towering presence in the air.
The Chippa United goalkeeper continued to spill the ball, which in turn caused chaos for the defenders in the Nigerian box. Earlier in the game, the goal Talbi conceded could've been parried.
After the game, Nwabali confirmed the reports circulating about his fitness just before AFCON 2025 kicked. His wrists and ankles were injured, and Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi confirmed the 29-year-old needed surgery.
Ex-Besiktas goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro also raised questions about the weight of the former Enyimba goalie. However, Nwabali has revealed he's been struggling to stay fit.
“First game, second game, we tried to keep a clean sheet, but you know football has improved a lot, it is not something you just go and come out and play, everyone wants to come,” he said.
“So, we really don't wish to concede. We really wish to keep a clean sheet. It pains me a lot when I concede, but we keep going as a team.
“I was injured, but with the help of the team doctors and the physio, I was able to stand on the pitch to play.
“It's quite tough for me because it's not everything you come out to say, so most of the time, whatever thing you see online, yeah, it's true. I am always a strong man, so I try to represent my country.
“They [Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie, Nigeria's other goalkeepers] are such nice guys. My first AFCON was with Francis; he is one guy I wish to work with.
“I am not talking about Amas because I knew Amas in the league before leaving the Nigerian League. But these guys are amazing guys, they are like my family, they are like my brothers.
“These guys cover me, we cover each other. No hard thoughts, no bad energy, I really wish a lot of people would learn from these guys,” Nwabali concluded.
Off the pitch, he's also had his struggles. He's had to bury his parents this year, and that can take a toll on his display on the pitch.
Whether or not Nwabali will be Nigeria's starting goalkeeper in the remaining AFCON games is currently unknown, and with Maduka Okoye out of the picture, the Super Eagles' only hopes will be a quick recovery for the PSL-based goalie.
Amas Obasogie's debut display wasn't impressive, and Francis Uzoho isn't the goalkeeper a lot of Nigerians will want to see in the starting lineup anytime soon.
So, yes, if Stanley Nwabali's injury gets aggravated, the Super Eagles will be in big trouble. After making his name during the AFCON 2023 tournament last year, the 6'5″ tall goalkeeper has started all but one of Nigeria's games since then.
