By Michael Odegbe
Stanley Nwabali rose to the occasion when it was most needed, turning despair into pride as the Super Eagles secured bronze at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Egypt.
After a thrilling 90 minutes that ended in a goalless draw, the battle for third place went to penalties – and it was there that Nwabali became Nigeria’s unlikely hero. The Super Eagles goalkeeper saved two crucial penalties, securing a 4-2 shootout victory and earning him the Man of the Match award.
For Nwabali, however, it was the team that took center stage, not him.
“It was a very difficult match against a great Egyptian team,” he said after the match. “Nobody wanted to make a mistake. The pressure was high from start to finish.”
Nigeria’s road to the Africa Cup of Nations was not a bed of roses, marked by painful setbacks early in the tournament. Despite this, the players were undaunted.
“We had our disappointments, but we stayed focused and trusted each other until the end,” Nwabali explained.
When the pressure mounted during the penalty shootout, composure became Nigeria’s most powerful weapon.
“I stayed calm, I sensed the shooters, and I trusted my intuition,” the goalkeeper said. “Fortunately, it worked.”
Nwabali was quick to emphasize the role of his teammates, especially the defense, describing the bronze medal as a reward for unity and discipline.
“This victory was the result of a collective effort. The defenders were incredible, and everyone stayed united,” he noted.
Despite the personal accolade, Nwabali made it clear that individual awards mean little compared to national pride.
“Being man of the match is a nice feeling,” he said, “but winning the bronze medal for Nigeria is more important.”
In an evening of composure, courage, and teamwork, Stanley Nwabali didn’t just save a penalty, he saved Nigeria’s pride.
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