Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali says Nigeria failed to do enough in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign after a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein all but ended their hopes.
The Chippa United shot-stopper admitted the team left it too late in the qualifiers and urged his teammates to approach future tournaments — including the Africa Cup of Nations — with greater seriousness.
Nigeria’s World Cup qualification struggles
Nigeria’s draw with Bafana Bafana leaves them third in Group C on 11 points, six behind leaders South Africa with just two matches left.
- South Africa — 17 points
- Benin Republic — 14 points
- Nigeria — 11 points
- Rwanda — 11 points
- Lesotho — 6 points
- Zimbabwe — 4 points
The Super Eagles will play their final two qualifiers away to Lesotho and at home against Benin Republic, but their chances of making the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada, and Mexico are now slim.
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Nwabali: ‘We left it very late’
Speaking to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana at Bloemfontein Airport, Nwabali said the team had themselves to blame.
“We (as a team) should have made more effort to qualify for the World Cup. We left it very late,” Nwabali said.
“We have an AFCON to prepare for and I hope we take that very seriously. The rest of Africa is coming up and we should not expect easy games on the continent anymore. We must prepare properly if we want to win and qualify for tournaments.”
Injury battles and Rwanda flashpoints
Nwabali revealed that he played through pain in Nigeria’s September qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, nursing a swollen ankle.
He also addressed his heated altercation with Rwandan players in Uyo.
“Yes, I was not in a good mood during that game because of the way some of the Rwandan players were behaving towards me. I was quite upset about it.”
Without VAR, Nwabali escaped what could have been a red card for his reaction.
Club future: Move to Europe on the horizon
The 28-year-old confirmed he will leave Chippa United at the end of the season as he targets a move to Europe.
He added, “I would like to be in Europe now. But I have a contract with my current club, who were not prepared to let me go. I have to honour the contract I signed.”
Nwabali has been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where his penalty heroics against South Africa sent the Super Eagles to the final.
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