Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Greg Etafia has strongly criticised the decision to exclude Stanley Nwabali from Nigeria’s squad for the March international window, insisting the shot-stopper deserved to be part of the team.
Nwabali, who has been a key figure for the Super Eagles in recent outings, was left out of the squad despite being available, a move that has sparked debate among football stakeholders.
Etafia, speaking on the situation, expressed disappointment with the decision, arguing that even if the goalkeeper was not going to feature in matches, his presence within the squad would have been important.
“He should have been there,” Etafia stated, emphasizing the value of inclusion beyond just playing time.
The former international pointed to a similar situation involving Ademola Lookman earlier in the season, where the forward continued to receive national team invitations despite club-related issues.
For Etafia, this highlights inconsistency in selection decisions.
“If others can be called, why not him?” he implied.
Beyond football considerations, Etafia also raised concerns about the psychological impact of the omission on Nwabali.
He suggested that being part of the squad, even as a non-playing member, would have provided support and boosted the goalkeeper’s morale during a challenging period in his career.
“It would have helped his mental state,” he noted, underlining the importance of player management.
The situation brings attention to the delicate balance between selection policies and player welfare.
While coaches must make decisions based on performance and team needs, maintaining confidence and unity within the squad is equally crucial.
For Nwabali, the exclusion represents a setback, but not necessarily a permanent one.
As discussions continue, the focus will be on how he responds, and whether he can reclaim his place in the team.
Because in football, setbacks are part of the journey.
But how players and teams handle them often defines what comes next.
