AFCON: Here is how Nwabali’s clutch catapulted Super Eagles into the finals

Football by many quarters is assumed to be unscripted, especially the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

A little over a month ago, Stanley Bobbi Nwabali might have argued if he was foretold he would be the standout name in the Nigerian national team AFCON squad.

The Chippa United shot-stopper came into this tournament a part of the goalkeeping contingent and supposed backup to Francis Uzoho.

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He has now gone from that to being Nigeria’s hero in the knockouts with his brave performances thus far.

Having picked up four consecutive clean sheets, he came into the semi-final affair against South Africa has an established name.

In a game the Bafana Bafana of South Africa asked increasingly more of the Super Eagles, he stood out strong and commandeering in goal.

In a man-of-the-match display, he kept Nigeria in the game with his saves in normal time. Particularly his 96th minute save from a free kick conceded by Ademola Lookman late in the tie ensured Nigeria still went in for extra time.

Following 120 minutes of play, he came up clutch to deny Teboho Mokoena who had earlier put a penalty past him and forward Evidence Makgopa from the penalty spot.

With a spot in the final now assured, he’s making a shot for the goalkeeper of the tournament award at the expense of Ronwen Williams who despite his heroics in the last round failed to save any of the six penalties he faced across the encounter.

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The former Enyimba international goalkeeper has had a surreal tournament and come what may of the final, he’s put his name out there in the discuss for potential new employers.