Stanley Chippa United goalkeeper coach, Sean Louw, has revealed an amusing anecdote involving Stanley Nwabali, the team’s goalkeeper, who was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.
Before the tournament, Nwabali had made just one appearance for the Super Eagles, during which the team, largely composed of local players, suffered a 5-0 defeat in a friendly match against Mexico in 2021. Despite this setback, Nwabali emerged as one of the top performers in the AFCON 2023, helping the Super Eagles secure second place.
Louw shared that he had predicted Nwabali’s participation in the AFCON, a claim that the goalkeeper initially doubted. “I told Stanley that he is going to play in the AFCON and he said, ‘I will never play at the AFCON as long as I am playing for Chippa,’” Louw recounted.
Accepting the challenge, Louw claimed that Nwabali promised him a Mercedes Benz if he ended up playing in the AFCON. “I said ‘Challenge accepted’, and he said if he plays AFCON, he will buy me a Mercedes Benz. Until today, I am still waiting for my Mercedes Benz,” Louw added humorously.
Nwabali’s journey from a single appearance with the Super Eagles to becoming a key player in the AFCON 2023 is a testament to his talent and determination. As for the friendly wager between him and his coach, it adds a light-hearted twist to his inspiring story. Whether or not Louw will receive his Mercedes Benz remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Nwabali’s performance in the AFCON 2023 will be remembered for years to come.
