Madagascar heroics place Nwabali ahead Okonkwo, Okoye in Eagles keeper battle - Punch Newspapers

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Photo: Super Eagles

Is Stanley Nwabali now undisputed as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, or was Friday night in Uyo merely a reprieve owed to circumstance? The Chippa United shot-stopper held off competition from Arthur Okonkwo and Maduka Okoye to start the Super Eagles’ 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar, and his display drew warm praise from coach Eric Chelle and former international Victor Ikpeba, even if the goalkeeping jersey may not be settled for good. Chelle singled out Nwabali’s second-half intervention after full time. “Nwabali did well because they had a chance to score a goal, but Nwabali at this moment practically was very good,” he said. Ikpeba was more forthright still, declaring the 30-year-old Nigeria’s number one ahead of Okoye. “Credit to Nwabali; he is the number one goalkeeper for the national team. In my opinion, he is better than Maduka. People at home might disagree, but he is the number one goalkeeper for the national team,” Ikpeba said on SuperSport, adding that the goalkeeper’s decisive save “saved our blushes” at a pivotal moment in the contest. Nwabali started the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium after Okoye’s troubled build-up to the match left Chelle with a straightforward decision between Nwabali and Okonkwo. Okoye, who plays his club football in Italy for Udinese, did not land in Akwa Ibom until Friday morning, only hours before kick-off, having missed every training session between Tuesday and Thursday. He had been the sole absentee from the 24-man squad while the other 23 players trained through the week, and his continued absence drew heavy criticism from Nigerian fans and journalists.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Pictures had surfaced on Wednesday showing the goalkeeper in Italy alongside American rapper Cardi B at Milan Fashion Week, where he modelled Udinese’s new third kit, the second time in recent months he had been photographed with the rapper, having also appeared alongside her at Paris Fashion Week in August. Journalist Samuel Areo and on-air personality Buchi Onakola were among those who criticised the goalkeeper’s conduct so close to a competitive fixture, while a fan, Leye Mabeoruoraye, called on the Nigeria Football Federation to address what he described as a recurring pattern of late arrivals. Lateness has, indeed, followed Okoye before. He arrived last for camp ahead of the ill-fated 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa in Uyo in June 2024, and he was also criticised for a delayed arrival before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November 2025. Chelle addressed the situation at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, explaining that Udinese had sought permission for their goalkeeper to fulfil the commercial engagement. With Okoye unable to train, Nwabali, who was recalled to the squad after an extended absence from the national team, was handed the gloves. The 30-year-old had lost his place after leaving Chippa United in February amid uncertainty over his club future, a departure that also cost him his Super Eagles jersey. He rejoined the South African club in July and quickly regained his starting berth, keeping a clean sheet against Golden Arrows before his recall to the national side. Ilenikhena reveals Osimhen, Okocha influence after debut goal Chelle, Ikpeba laud Nwabali heroics after Nigeria win Aina backs Fernandez for Premier League move Nwabali marked his return with a decisive contribution just after the hour mark. With Madagascar still leading through an early goal from Ehsan Khari, the goalkeeper produced a one-on-one save to deny the visitors’ captain, Rayan Raveloson, keeping Nigeria in the contest before George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor completed the turnaround either side of half-time. Chelle also reflected on his side’s overall performance, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking down a well-organised Madagascar defence. “So, after that we continued to forward, but it was not easy because they put the bus in front of the post,” he said. “Not bad but not good too. We made the first mistake; that is why we took a goal. After, we had a lot of chances to score a goal, but we were technically not very good.” Ikpeba, a former African Footballer of the Year, also stressed how significant the save proved to be to the outcome. “He showed that attribute again, the belief, the determination, ‘I am going to stop the lad’. Yes, the Madagascar attacker should have done better,” he said. “He saved our blushes because in that moment, if it was 2-1, you do not know what would have been the outcome of this game. The score might have ended 2-2, or we lose 2-1.” Okonkwo, who was named back-up goalkeeper for the match, has continued to push his own case despite missing out on Friday. The Charlton Athletic loanee, who plays for parent club Wrexham, has set his sights on emulating former Nigeria number one Vincent Enyeama, describing the ex-international as his idol growing up. “Enyeama. I watched him at the World Cup growing up. He is like a legend, and I aspire to be close to, or hopefully maybe one day better than, him,” the 24-year-old told Football Temple. Enyeama made 101 appearances for the Super Eagles before retiring from international football in 2015, featuring at three World Cups, in 2002, 2010 and 2014, and helping Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013. Okonkwo, who switched international allegiance to Nigeria after previously representing England at youth level, made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe at the Unity Cup in May before keeping a second clean sheet in the 3-0 final victory over Jamaica. He has continued to feature regularly for Charlton Athletic in the English Championship this season. Despite the competition for the goalkeeping jersey, Okonkwo insisted his focus remains on learning from his more experienced teammates rather than the battle for the starting role. “The boys have been very welcoming. They have been in the Nigerian set-up much longer than me, and I look forward to learning from them. They are fantastic goalkeepers I can learn from, and I am just taking it day by day,” he told NFF TV. All three goalkeepers remain in contention heading into Nigeria’s second Group L fixture against Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, with Chelle expected to face a fresh decision on his starting choice for that match, particularly with Okoye now back in full training after his delayed arrival. Kindly share this story:

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