Can Nwabali's display against CIV secure him Super Eagles No. 1 role on permanent basis?

An outcry by Nigerians for fresh personnel between the sticks for the Super Eagles thrust Chippa United's Stanley Nwabali into the spotlight during Nigeria's second AFCON group game versus Ivory Coast.

His outstanding display under immense pressure could very resonate for a pretty lengthy period of time. 

The 27-year-old shot-stopper earned his first call-up to the National team back in 2021 in an international friendly match against Mexico where the Super Eagles were humbled by a 4-0 scoreline at the full time whistle, and he has since then gone on to make three more international appearances for the three time African Champions.

Fate intervened against tournament favorites Ivory Coast, as Nwabali was once again named as the starting glovesman between the sticks for the Super Eagles.

Thrust onto Africa's biggest stage, Nwabali shone bright. making key saves at critical moments to preserve Nigeria's one goal lead as well as keeping his first international clean sheet.

Such a composed and defiant performance should catapult Nwabali firmly into manager Jose Peseiro's immediate plans.

Technically brilliant and oozing with confidence, the former Enyimba glovesman exhibited sound decision-making and positional excellence.

Having now proven capable of performing under intense scrutiny, Peseiro faces an intriguing goalkeeping dilemma moving forward.

Loyalty may tempt the manager to restore Uzoho once he hits form again considering Nwabali's inexperience. 

However, Nwabali's stunning emergence coupled with Uzoho's recent poor goalkeeping displays should give Peseiro a reason to think.

Why potentially stall the talented understudy's development when Nigeria have craved goalkeeping stability for generations?

Instead, merit argues for Nwabali retaining duties for the remainder of AFCON at least. Continuity will further accelerate his rapid progress at international level.

Such an eye-catching audition against elite opponents may have just witnessed a changing of the guard between the posts.

Of course, firmer judgments require a larger sample size and Uzoho himself offers a strong pedigree at just 25 years old.

Yet, in those dramatic minutes with Ivory Coast bombarding his goal, Stanley Nwabali may have just achieved his pivotal, destiny-altering moment.

Ejim Kaycee

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