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Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali delivered a man-of-the-match performance for Chippa United in their goalless draw against SuperSport United in the South African Premier Soccer League on Tuesday night.
Nwabali’s return to action was an emotional one, following a brief absence to mourn the loss of his father.
The tragedy had forced him to miss Nigeria’s final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Uyo.
The 27-year-old was on duty in a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan when he received the devastating news.
Without Nwabali, the Super Eagles suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to Rwanda, with Maduka Okoye stepping in as goalkeeper.
On his return, Nwabali made a significant impact, recording four crucial saves to help Chippa United secure a valuable clean sheet. His standout moment came in the 68th minute, when he made a remarkable stop to deny Bradley Grobler a sure goal.
The former Enyimba FC shot-stopper also thwarted efforts from Tashreeq Morris, Lyle Lakay, and Grobler, frustrating SuperSport United’s attack throughout the match.
His heroics earned him the Man of the Match award, capping off an impressive return to the field.
Nwabali’s performance shows his resilience and importance to both club and country, as he looks forward to building on this momentum.
