AFCON: ‘Keep it to yourself’ – Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali reveals what Peseiro told him

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has revealed that teammate Francis Uzoho remains the team’s first choice shot-stopper at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast.

Nwabali also revealed what Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro told him before Super Eagles 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

The Chippa United shot-stopper has benched Uzoho at the tournament, despite his lack of experience on the international stage.

He has featured in Nigeria’s first two games at the AFCON, keeping a clean sheet against the host nation Ivory Coast.

Speaking to The Guardian UK reporter, Osasu Obayiuwana, Nwabali said: “To be honest it has been nice, it has been God throughout but Iam not the first choice.

“Uzoho is still the first choice, I only had an opportunity to play. I feel I have to do my best when I have an opportunity to play.

“I was not expecting to play the opening game but I am ready even when I got the call-up but I was not sure of a starting place.”

Nwabali added: “He [Peseiro] didn’t talk to me initially. It was a day before our game, after our last training he came to me, ‘Stanley keep it to yourself, you are going to play’. I told him I am always ready and not worried about it.”