Nwabali Confident as Eagles Overcome Defensive Concerns at AFCON

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has brushed off growing concerns about Nigeria’s defensive display at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, saying conceding goals is a normal part of top‑level tournament football.

Despite Nigeria conceding three goals in two Group C matches — including a late comeback by Tunisia after the Eagles led 3–0 — the team still won both games and secured qualification to the round of 16 with a game to spare.

Nwabali insisted there is no fundamental problem in the defence and stressed that even the best teams in the world concede goals in major competitions. He added that while keeping clean sheets remains an objective, the team must accept and work through the realities of tournament play.

The 29‑year‑old also downplayed any rivalry among the goalkeeping unit, praising his colleagues Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie and describing them as like family within the squad.

With Nigeria already through to the knockout phase, attention now turns to their final group match against Uganda and how the side can balance attacking dynamism with defensive solidity as the competition progresses.