Nigeria Head Coach Eric Chelle has offered a vote of confidence to goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, praising the Chippa United star’s character despite recent public criticism over his performance in the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Chelle Defends Nwabali’s Commitment
The 29-year-old goalkeeper faced a backlash from fans for errors during the narrow 2-1 victory against Lesotho and was scrutinized for losing his composure in the subsequent encounter with the Benin Republic.
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That being said, Chelle has emphatically thrown his full support behind Nwabali ahead of next month’s crucial 2026 World Cup playoff and the AFCON 2025 tournament in December.
Speaking on Eagle 7FM, Chelle stressed that commitment and character are paramount for his squad. “I need to have a player with character,” he stated.
“Maybe sometimes he needs to relax, the reality is Stanley gives everything for his team, teammates and his country. So sometimes he makes some mistakes, and this is normal, but the reality is he gives everything.”
The 47-year-old coach effectively ended the debate over Nwabali’s inclusion by refocusing attention on the upcoming opponents. “Stanley or maybe the other goalkeeper or players.
I won’t talk about what happened before, this is not important, the most important now is Gabon,” Chelle added, signalling that the goalkeeper spot is secured for now.
Respect for Gabon
The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon in the World Cup playoff round and Chelle has expressed deep respect for the Panthers, describing them as a technically gifted side with a clear philosophy.
Currently on a brief trip to Portugal, Chelle revealed he has been scouting key Gabonese players, including their talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“I am here in Portugal to see my daughter, but I watched the game between Sporting and Marseille in the Champions League, and Aubameyang played in that game,” he told Sports247.
The Nigerian tactician highlighted Gabon’s quality across the pitch: “Gabon have a good team. They have great players like Aubameyang, Lemina, and Bruno Ecuele Manga. They also have a good coach with a solid philosophy. When the team plays, you can see they are impressive.”
High Stakes and Caution
This World Cup playoff tie, set to be played in Morocco, will determine which nation advances to the final round, where they will face the winner between DR Congo and Cameroon.
Chelle cautioned that his players must not take the Panthers lightly, emphasizing the need for focus and discipline. “This is not a team we can underestimate. We must prepare well and stay focused. Every little detail will matter in a game like this,” he warned.
With Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup hinging on this performance, Chelle’s determination to stick by Nwabali and his cautious respect for Gabon sets the stage for what promises to be a fiercely tactical and contested encounter.