Eagles’ goalkeeping depth crisis leaves Nwabali unchallenged

A worrying scenario is unfolding in the Super Eagles goalkeeping department as Stanley Nwabali continues to stand head and shoulders above his competitors, with no clear challenger emerging to push Nigeria’s number one for his spot, PETER AKINBO writes

In an era when competition for places typically defines elite national teams, the Super Eagles find themselves in an unusual predicament. Their current first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, while impressive, faces little genuine competition for his position—a situation that could potentially harm the team’s long-term prospects.

 While the national team is spoilt for choice in attack where Osimhen’s absence could see one of Victor Boniface or Taiwo Awoniyi step in and be a worthy replacement, the same can’t be said for the goalkeeper position.

 Nwabali, who has kept four clean sheets in 14 league matches for Chippa United this season, has shown remarkable resilience both on and off the pitch. Despite facing personal tragedies with the loss of both parents within weeks – his father in November and his mother on New Year’s Day – Nwabali has maintained his consistency, missing just one of his club’s 15 league games this season.

 His performance in the 2-1 win over Golden Arrows in the Nedbank Cup on January 25 further underlined his mental strength. However, questions remain about his availability for the upcoming round of 16 clash against Kaizer Chiefs.

 Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Alloysius Agu believes Nwabali is on track to potentially surpass Vincent Enyeama’s legacy, highlighting the keeper’s excellence at the 2023 AFCON, where he kept four clean sheets in seven games as Nigeria claimed silver.

 “Nwabali has done well for himself and the Super Eagles. When you compare him to Vincent Enyeama, you see that both have represented the country with excellence. Nwabali has shown confidence and focus, but there’s still room for improvement,” Agu said in quotes revealed by Sports Ration.

 “It’s just a matter of time before Nwabali gets to that level. He has what it takes to succeed if he keeps improving.”

 His performances at AFCON 2023 attracted interest from clubs in Europe and the Middle East, but the goalkeeper opted to remain in South Africa, signing a new three-year deal with the Chilli Boys.

 However, while Nwabali’s rise has been meteoric, the vacuum behind him raises concerns. His closest challenger, Francis Uzoho, has endured a frustrating season at Omonia Nicosia, making just three appearances and recently suffering an injury setback in a Cyprus Cup match.

 Before his injury, Uzoho had only featured twice for Omonia this season. His limited playing time has significantly impacted his chances of challenging for the national team’s number one jersey.

 The situation with other potential rivals is equally concerning. Maduka Okoye, who recently returned from a torn Scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, finds himself embroiled in a betting scandal at Udinese.

 While he has returned to training with his teammates, the controversy surrounding his situation adds another layer of uncertainty to his international future.

 Meanwhile, Ojo Olorunleke, once considered a strong contender, is currently without a club following the unexpected termination of his contract with Sudanese club Al Merrikh SC. The former Enyimba goalkeeper, who played a crucial role in their historic ninth NPFL title win, has maintained a positive outlook despite the setback.

 Adebayo Adeleye, who plays for Cypriot side Enosis Paralimni, appears to be the only goalkeeper showing consistent form, keeping several clean sheets as his team pushes for a championship playoff spot.

 However, his international experience remains limited, having made just one appearance for the Eagles in September 2023 against Sierra Leone.

 The 24-year-old’s move to the Cypriot league has proven beneficial, with his performances catching the eye. Yet, questions remain about whether the level of competition in Cyprus is sufficient preparation for international football at the highest level.

 The crisis may force the national team to look towards emerging talents.

 Arthur Okonkwo, the Arsenal academy graduate currently impressing at Wrexham with nine clean sheets in 19 appearances, represents a potential solution. His commanding presence at 6ft 6in and ability with the ball at his feet has already caught the attention of the Nigeria Football Federation’s technical team.

 Similarly, Crystal Palace academy product Owen Goodman, who has registered 13 clean sheets in 27 appearances for AFC Wimbledon, has shown interest in representing Nigeria.

 The 21-year-old was recently spotted at the NFF office in Abuja, suggesting serious consideration of his international future.

 Further afield, the Super Eagles could explore options like Noah Atubolu, rated among the Bundesliga’s top five most valuable goalkeepers and is still uncapped by Germany at the senior level.

 The 22-year-old Freiburg shot-stopper, born to Nigerian parents, has managed six clean sheets in 16 Bundesliga appearances this season, showing remarkable composure as a starter in one of Europe’s top leagues.

 Another interesting prospect is LASK Linz’s Tobias Lawal, who previously trained with the Eagles in 2020 but couldn’t play due to Austrian citizenship laws.

 After missing out on Austria’s Euro 2024 squad, the 24-year-old could reconsider his international allegiance, though citizenship issues would need to be resolved first.

 Amas Obasogie, who recently moved to Tanzanian side Singinda Black Stars from Ethiopian club Fasil Ketema, represents another option, having consistently received call-ups to the national team.

 The 25-year-old’s record of 18 clean sheets in the NPFL – a league record – shows his potential, though his current lack of top-flight experience raises questions about his readiness for international football.

 The situation mirrors a broader challenge facing Nigerian football – the need to maintain depth and quality across all positions. While Nwabali’s emergence has temporarily solved the goalkeeping crisis that plagued the team following Vincent Enyeama’s retirement, the lack of genuine competition could potentially hamper his development and the team’s overall progress.

 Nigeria’s rich goalkeeping history, which has produced talents like Emmanuel, Okala, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Peter Fregene, Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, Best Ogedegbe and Enyeama, makes the current depth crisis particularly concerning. These legendary keepers often faced stiff competition for their spots, pushing them to maintain high-performance levels.

 As the Eagles continue their journey under new management, addressing this goalkeeping depth crisis becomes crucial. The team’s upcoming fixtures in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers demand a strong and competitive goalkeeping department.

 For now, Nwabali’s position seems secure, but for the long-term success of Nigerian football, the emergence of worthy challengers remains essential. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether any of the identified prospects can step up to provide the competition needed to maintain the high standards expected of Nigeria’s last line of defence.