Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has found himself at the centre of criticism after Nigeria suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles arrived in Bissau with confidence following their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in their opening Group L fixture. However, Tuesday’s encounter quickly turned into a night to forget for Eric Chelle’s men as Guinea-Bissau capitalised on Nigeria’s defensive shortcomings to secure a convincing home victory.
The hosts took control in the 15th minute when Franculino Dju produced a curling finish that found its way beyond Nwabali and into the far corner.
Nigeria struggled to generate a sustained response, while Guinea-Bissau remained dangerous on the counter. Their pressure eventually paid off again in the 66th minute when Mama Baldé doubled the advantage.
Álvaro Djaló then put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time, completing a 3-0 victory that handed Nigeria a bruising setback in the qualification race.
The result leaves Guinea-Bissau on six points from two matches, while Nigeria remain on three points after their opening victory over Madagascar.
Nwabali, who started between the posts for the second consecutive match, became one of the biggest talking points after the final whistle.
Several Nigerian supporters took to social media to question the goalkeeper’s positioning and his response to Guinea-Bissau’s goals, with some going as far as labelling the Chippa United shot-stopper a “liability.”
Pulse Sports’ post-match ratings reflected the criticism, awarding Nwabali a 2/10 and faulting his positioning for the opening goal while arguing that he was unable to significantly influence the other two goals.
Yet, the blame has not been placed entirely on the goalkeeper.
Former Super Eagles midfielder and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner Victor Ikpeba offered a different assessment, pointing to Nigeria’s defensive organisation as a major factor behind the defeat.
Ikpeba argued that the Nigerian defence repeatedly failed to track Guinea-Bissau’s attacking players, leaving spaces that the hosts were able to exploit.
The defeat has consequently reopened discussions over Nigeria’s goalkeeping options, with Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo among the alternatives available to Chelle.
Nwabali himself had entered the Guinea-Bissau clash on the back of a positive performance against Madagascar, where he made a crucial second-half intervention in Nigeria’s opening qualifier. His display in that game had earned praise from Chelle, according to PUNCH.
The contrasting performances have now intensified scrutiny around the goalkeeper as Nigeria prepare for their next qualifying assignments.
With the Super Eagles already three points behind Guinea-Bissau after two matches, attention will now turn to how Chelle responds to the setback and whether changes will be made to the team as the qualification campaign progresses.
