In a stellar display of goalkeeping prowess, Stanley Nwabali, the in-form shot-stopper for the Super Eagles, has etched his name into the record books by equaling Best Ogedegbe’s 44-year milestone, MySportDab Reports.
Nwabali achieved this feat during Nigeria’s 1-0 quarter-finals victory over Angola in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles secured their place in the semi-finals of the 34th edition of AFCON with a decisive win over Palancas Negras, continuing their pursuit of a fourth tournament title after triumphs in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
Stanley Nwabali’s remarkable contribution lies in his achievement as the first Eagles goalkeeper to maintain four consecutive clean sheets in a major tournament in 44 years.
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Surpassing Alloy Agu’s three-game streak in 1990, Nwabali’s consistency has been a standout feature of Nigeria’s AFCON campaign. The last goalkeeper to achieve such a feat in an Eagles jersey was Ogedegbe in 1980, coinciding with the team’s inaugural continental title.
Throughout the tournament, Nwabali showcased his resilience by keeping two consecutive clean sheets against Ivory Coast and Egypt in the group stage, conceding only once in their 3-1 victory over Tanzania. His outstanding form continued in the semi-finals against Morocco and the final clash against Algeria, both resulting in 3-0 victories for Nigeria.
Just like Ogedegbe, Nwabali conceded a goal in the opening game against Equatorial Guinea but remained unbeaten thereafter, registering clean sheets against Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, and the recent triumph over Angola in the quarter-finals.
As the Chippa United goalkeeper eyes the outright ownership of this historic record, all eyes will be on Nwabali when the Super Eagles face the winners between South Africa and Cape Verde in the upcoming semi-finals on Wednesday.
The goalkeeper’s exceptional performances have not only solidified Nigeria’s defensive resilience but have also established him as a key figure in the team’s quest for AFCON glory.
