Stanley Nwabali etched his name in Super Eagles’ history on Friday, becoming the first goalkeeper to achieve four consecutive clean sheets at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 44 years.
The Chippa United shot-stopper surpassed legendary goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe (1980) and Alloy Agu (1990) who held previous records with three clean sheets.
Nwabali’s stellar performance against Angola, coupled with Ademola Lookman’s lone goal, secured a 1-0 victory and propelled the Super Eagles into the AFCON semi-finals.
Nwabali’s heroics began in the group stage, with clean sheets against Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Guinea-Bissau.
Despite conceding a single goal against Equatorial Guinea, he continued his shutout streak against Angola, showcasing his agility and composure in goal.
His impressive form has boosted the Super Eagles’ confidence as they prepare to face either South Africa or Cape Verde in the next stage.
Nwabali will undoubtedly be a key factor in their quest to lift the AFCON trophy, aiming to extend his record and solidify his place in Nigerian football history.