Former Nigeria international Sam Elijah has asked fans and coaches to forgive Stanley Nwabali after the goalkeeper made a mistake in Nigeria’s recent 2-1 win over Lesotho.
Nwabali, who became Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, had a poor performance in the World Cup qualifier at Peter Mokaba Stadium. His error nearly cost the Super Eagles a vital win.
But Elijah has come to his defence, saying one bad match should not undo all of Nwabali’s past good work.
“He Has Saved Us Many Times Before”
“They should not drop him,” Elijah said in a recent interview.
“He has been our saving hand in many matches. One mistake should not lead to him being punished or forgotten.”
He admitted the mistake was serious, especially for a goalkeeper with Nwabali’s experience, but believes it was just a bad day.
“Yes, it was a costly mistake, and he shouldn’t be making such errors. But I believe he will learn from it and be more careful next time. He is still a very good goalkeeper, and we should stick with him,” Elijah added.
Calls for Calm and Patience
Some former players and fans criticised Nwabali after the match, worried that his mistake could hurt Nigeria’s World Cup hopes. But Elijah has urged everyone — including head coach Eric Chelle — to stay calm and show patience.
Nwabali has played a key role in Nigeria’s recent success, and Elijah believes that dropping him now would damage his confidence and hurt the team in the long run.
What’s Next for the Super Eagles?
Nigeria are still fighting for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will face Benin in another crucial qualifier. With pressure building, the support of experienced players like Elijah could help keep the team united.