Omotayo Fashola
Ex-Nigeria U23 goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro has sparked controversy with his blunt assessment of Super Eagles’ current number one, Stanley Nwabali, during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Morocco.
The former international didn’t hold back, claiming Nwabali appeared sluggish and out of shape, while also questioning his distribution skills during Nigeria’s recent match against Tanzania.
“Nwabali needs urgent attention,” Babayaro emphasized on the ATHLST podcast.
“Let’s be honest—his weight is an issue, and Nigeria got lucky against Tanzania. If those shots had been on target, we might be talking about a different result.
“His passing was erratic, and he looked completely off balance at times,” he added.
Despite the criticism, Nwabali remains Nigeria’s preferred choice under coach Eric Chelle, having played a pivotal role in the team’s runner-up finish at the previous AFCON tournament.
