Stanley Nwabali has responded to his critics after returning to the Super Eagles squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Chippa United goalkeeper posted on his Instagram Story on Tuesday to celebrate his comeback. He shared a video of his penalty saves against Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush from Nigeria’s win over Egypt in the third-place match at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Nigeria won that game 4-2 on penalties to claim bronze and Nwabali was voted Man of the Match.
He captioned the video, “I’m back, it’s time to keep crying,” adding a laughing emoji, in what looked like a direct message to those who doubted him.
Nwabali was one of Nigeria’s best players at the 2023 AFCON where the team reached the final, and he was also impressive at the 2025 tournament. But things went quiet for him after he left Chippa United in February 2026 hoping to join another club.
The move did not work out and he stayed without a club for months. Because he was not playing regularly, he lost his place in the national team. Coach Eric Chelle started using Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye instead. Arthur Okonkwo, who recently got FIFA clearance to play for Nigeria, also got his first call-up and did well at the Unity Cup.
Nwabali later returned to Chippa United in July after five months away. He showed he was back to his best against Golden Arrows with six saves and a clean sheet, winning Man of the Match. He followed it up with another six saves in a 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns on September 12.
His good form for the club has now helped him return to the Super Eagles as Nigeria get set to face Madagascar in Uyo and Guinea-Bissau away, with three goalkeepers now fighting for the number one shirt.
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