Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was frustrated with his performance after conceding twice in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Tunisia at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Morocco, SportPremi reports.
The Chippa United shot-stopper looked shaky at most times during the clash, leading to question marks over his status as first-choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles.
He could have done better in preventing the first goal and had other moments where his decision making was poor.
The Super Eagles were however able to record a 3-2 win which sealed their spot in the knockout stages, having score three times before conceding.
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Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Ndidi and Ademola Lookman scored for the three-time African champions, while the Carthage Eagles got their goals through Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi.
What Nwabali said after Nigeria’s crucial win over Tunisia
While speaking after the clash, the 29-year-old expressed disappointment with his performance and is confident of improvement in coming matches.
“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”, Nwabali admitted.
“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.
You know set pieces are something you can’t correct, it happens. We scored with set pieces and they scored back with set pieces,” the Chippa United goalkeeper continued.
“Yeah, we try to win today but you can’t correct certain things. Sometimes you try to correct some certain things about set pieces but probably this is what they do most, try and get a lot of set pieces but we try to deal with some, and probably we concede with maybe one or something.
On Tunisia’s first goal of the clash
“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 is 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”, Nwabali added.
On Uzoho and Obasogie providing stiff competition in the Nigerian squad
“They are such nice guys, my first AFCON was with Francis, he is one guy I wish to work with.
“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”, the Super Eagles shot-stopper concluded.
The Super Eagles will play their final group match against Uganda on the 30th, hoping to make it three wins from three at the Fez Stadium.
