Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been named among the final five contenders for the 2024 CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The Chippa United shot-stopper was included in the shortlist unveiled by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday, following his impressive performances over the past year.
He joins teammate Ademola Lookman who was also among the five-man shortlist for the CAF African Player of the Year award with William Troost-Ekong missing out.
Nwabali joins an elite group pf goalkeepers on the continent which includes Cameroon’s André Onana (Manchester United), Côte d’Ivoire’s Yahia Fofana (Angers SCO), Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Nwabali’s rise to prominence came after his stellar displays during Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Ivory Coast where he led the Eagles to the final, conceeding only two goals in the process. Although the Super Eagles narrowly lost the final 2-1 to the hosts, Nwabali’s heroics between the sticks were crucial to Nigeria’s run, earning him praise for his reflexes and composure under pressure.
His competition for the CAF award includes some of Africa’s most seasoned goalkeepers, such as Onana, who has been instrumental for Manchester United in both domestic and European competitions. Meanwhile, Ronwen Williams was voted Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2023 AFCON after leading South Africa to a strong finish.
