Nwabali's notorious penchant for time-wasting: Eguavoen vows to hold talks with Super Eagles GK
Published: September 11, 2024
Chippa United star Stanley Nwabali has earned a notorious reputation for unnecessary time-wasting since establishing himself as Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper.
Statistically speaking, it is believed that Nwabali picked up the bad trait at Chippa United, a team known for adopting negative tactics to grind out results when leading or facing stronger opponents.
Last season, the Nigeria international had a very poor disciplinary record for a goalkeeper, with eleven yellow cards shown to him in twenty-six appearances in South Africa's DStv Premiership.
Nwabali was cautioned six times for time-wasting, in matches against Orlando Pirates, Cape Town Spurs, Richards Bay FC (2), Lamontville Golden Arrows and AmaZulu FC.
The 28-year-old was booked in stoppage time during the group game between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles leading 1-0.
Nwabali came under intense scrutiny on Tuesday afternoon during the second half of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda as he was caught time wasting, an unnecessary move given that the Super Eagles were searching for a winning goal.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Nigeria's caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has vowed to hold talks with Nwabali to address the goalkeeper's tendency for time-wasting.
"I don't encourage such, it's something we have to talk about and we all know he's one of the best goalkeepers in Africa right now," Eguavoen told reporters.
"Some officials can get irritated as well and then start to add more minutes.
"It's not a game plan. I told you before we have come here to get three points so delaying such balls is not the best.
"It's an in-house talk, we will discuss, going forward such things will not happen."
On a positive note, Nwabali took his clean sheet tally to six for the Super Eagles, having posted clean sheets in the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Republic of Benin and Rwanda.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- 'You can't farm on dry land' - 2013 Afcon winner urges Super Eagles to wake up, hails South Africa
- Super Eagles forward returns to Nottingham Forest after loan spell at Blackburn Rovers
- Confirmed: Nigerian centre-back seeking new pastures after release by Millwall
- How not to lose in sports betting
- 'Player of the season is Osimhen' - History-making manager backs Galatasaray star for top award
- 'One standout player' - Flying Eagles midfielder compared to Oliseh, Declan Rice by Nigerian coach
- England U18 call-ups for son of ex-Super Eagles star and Nigerian forwards from Arsenal, Southampton
- Bayern Munich on brink of deal for Moroccan-born Nigerian striker eligible to represent Spain
- Getafe's Uche joins Real Madrid and Barcelona stars in La Liga Team of the Week
- 'When Nigeria loses, it feels like a national crisis' — GK Nnadozie on pressure facing Super Falcons


- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- F168
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88