Stanley Nwabali
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stanley Bobo Nwabali | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 10 June 1996[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Port Harcourt, Nigeria[2] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sharks | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Go Round | 17 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | Wikki Tourists | 18 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Enyimba | 12 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Lobi Stars | 28 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Katsina United | 12 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2026 | Chippa United | 66 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021– | Nigeria | 34 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22 March 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 17 January 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stanley Bobo Nwabali MON ⓘ (born 10 June 1996) is a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for the Nigeria national team.[3]
Personal life
Nwabali was born in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria on 10 June 1996 into a Christian family.[4][5] He considers German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as his role model.[6] His last name Nwabali, means “Child of the Night” in the igbo language.[7]
Club career
In 2018, Nwabali joined Go Round, a Nigerian club based in Omoku, before later securing a move to Enyimba in 2020, followed by joining Lobi Stars, Katsina United and Chippa United, a South African club in 2022.[8]
International career
Nwabali earned his first cap for the Nigerian national team in 2021,[9] in an international friendly match against Mexico in Los Angeles, United States.[10]
In December 2023, he was called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.[11] He was named Man of the Match in the semi-final encounter against South Africa, as he saved two penalties in a 4–2 victory during the pently shootouts following a 1–1 draw, which qualified his country for the final.[12][13]
On 11 December 2025, Stanley Nwabali was included in the Nigerian team[14] for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco, earning a bronze medal[15]
Player profile
Style of play
Nwabali is known for his shot‑stopping ability, command of the penalty area, and composure under pressure. He combines strong physical presence (1.96 m in height) with agility and has been praised for his defensive leadership at both club and international levels.[16]
Honours
Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2023;[17] third place: 2025[18]
National honours
- Member of the Order of the Niger[19]
- Morocco
- Africa Cup of Nations third position:2025[20]
References
- ^ a b "Stanley Bobo Nwabali". Soccerway.
- ^ "AFCON: Gov. Fubara hails Rivers born Super Eagles Goalkeeper". Authority NG. February 9, 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Mexico vs. Nigeria (4:0)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ He hails from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. "Goalkeeper Nwabali wants to make history with Super Eagles". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria.
- ^ Olusesan, Ajibade; Admin, New Telegraph (2024-01-20). "I Started As A Striker, Eagles Goalkeeper Nwabali Reveals". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ "Manuel Neur my role model – Super Eagles goalkeeper, Nwabali reveals". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 6 February 2024.
- ^ Daily Post Staff (2024-02-09). "Ibeka Ogazi: AFCON DIARY: 'If your relationship is shaky, go and meet Nwabali, he can save it'". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Stanley Nwabali: All you need to know about Super Eagles goalkeeper". afrik-foot.com. 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Super Eagles player ratings : Iwuala only bright spark; Nwabili let down by sloppy defence; Sunusi caged:: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". www.allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
- ^ "The home-based Super Eagles were set up to fail against Mexico's El Tri". Soccernet.ng. 2021-07-05. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
- ^ Olu Ibidapo, Ayodele (29 December 2023). "Peseiro names 25 players as Super Eagles seek fourth AFCON title in Cote d'Ivoire". Nigeria Football Federation. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "AFCON: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (4-2 pens) - Stanley Nwabali saves twice in shootout success as Nigeria reach final thriller". Sky Sports. 8 February 2024.
- ^ "AFCON: Nwabali wins Man Of The Match against South Africa". Business News Nigeria. 8 February 2024.
- ^ "Nigeria name star-packed AFCON squad as Osimhen and Lookman lead Super Eagles challenge". Nigeria name star-packed AFCON squad as Osimhen and Lookman lead Super Eagles challenge. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- ^ "Nigeria Clinches AFCON Bronze in Thrilling Penalty Shootout Against Egypt". Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- ^ "Super Eagles keeper Stanley Nwabali arrives in AFCON camp". Premium Times. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- ^ Stevens, Rob (11 February 2024). "Nigeria 1–2 Ivory Coast". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Stevens, Rob (17 January 2026). "Afcon 2025: Egypt 0-0 Nigeria (2-4 pens) - Super Eagles finish third". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ "Afcon: Ivory Coast and Nigeria players get cash, villas and honours". BBC News. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ "AFCON 2025: Nwabali comes big as Nigeria clinch bronze in Casablanca". AFCON 2025: Nwabali comes big as Nigeria clinch bronze in Casablanca. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
External links
- Stanley Nwabali at National-Football-Teams.com