Former Super Eagles shot-stopper and ex-goalkeepers’ trainer in the Nigerian national team, Ike Shorunmu has advocated private talks with the squad’s current first choice, Stanley Nwabali, in order to stabilise him before Thursday’s match with Gabon.
Sports247 reports that Nwabali was shaky in the Eagles’ last three matches of the original 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers – versus South Africa, Lesotho and Benin Republic – such that many Nigerians are apprehensive of any errors he might commit during the play-offs in Rabat.
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However, while many of the fans have charged Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, to drop Nwabali to the bench, Shorunmu believes it would be better to psyche up the Chippa United of South Africa safe hands instead.
The former netminder, who is fondly called ‘Ike Anobi,’ reasoned further that the time is too short to introduce another keeper as Nigeria’s first choice in goal for the upcoming clash with Gabon, which is part of a second chance for the Eagles to reach next year’s Mundial.
Shorunmu theorised, “Outsiders might be saying a lot of things, but the coach, who is inside the team, knows the capability of every goalkeeper that comes to the camp.
“Haven been there before, I can only say bringing in another goalkeeper in this situation we now find ourselves may not be the best way to avoid defeat.”
The former Stationary Stores FC of Lagos and FC Zurich of Switzerland goalie then charged the Eagles’ current keepers’ trainer to discuss with Nwavali with a heart-to-heart style, in order to solve any issues that might have been distracting the shot-stopper of recent.
“I don’t know the level of their goalkeepers’ coach, but I know they can handle Nwabali. The trainer just needs to tell him a few things about goalkeeping, and I’m sure the boy will adjust.
“Even if he has some issues with himself, the goalkeepers’ coach can call him into his room and discuss with him in private to see what can be done when it comes to the game,” Shorunmu suggested.
