Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali must time himself out on his playfulness between the Eagles’ sticks and be reminded it’s pure business.
The Chippa United keeper was at it again last Friday when he gifted Lesotho a goal in the 2-1 win against the Southern Africans in Polokwane last Friday.
Nwabali threw serious business overboard to gleefully palm the innocuous ball from a corner into the path of the lurking Mosotho to pull one back. Wilfred Ndidi, his partner-in-play only offered a limpet-like marking that didn’t bother the happy Mosotho who had only entered the fray a few minutes earlier.
He wasn’t done with his play party in his familiar Polokwane “playground”, this time inviting Semi Ajayi for a hide-and-seek game that only took an inch away from calamity. The ball strolled carelessly into touch just before captain William Troost-Ekong slowly arrived to avert an impending danger.
Earlier in the qualifiers in the very important face off against South Africa, Nwabali only barely escaped a marching order for his violent conduct on a Bafana Bafana.
Nwabali, crowning himself a king without completing his prince process has caused more panic situations in the Eagles’ last defence line than keeping out the dangers.
His disposition has smacked of pure over confidence and I-don’t-have-any-replacement-now stance and he’s only leaving panic buttons to press for the embattled Eagles.
Rock he was when he bulldozed his way into the sick goalkeeping department to breathe life into it to the delight of millions of Eagles’ fans. With the confidence of all the stakeholders in the bag for the big keeper, he has seemed to relax as no opposition is in sight to a threat.
Great keeper he’s through and through but the panic situations he’s served up lately will pay him and his embattled Eagles no dividends.
Concerns about his attitude and conduct have also alarmed the teeming fans whose headaches of Eagles’ dicey situation in the World Cup qualifiers have reached a worrisome level.
His bravery between the sticks and risk taking are still commendable but leaving the Eagles’ defence line vulnerable to hungry strikers with his playfulness remains the big issue that must be addressed.
Had his gaffe against Lesotho ended up in the Eagles’ net with just seconds left in the added time, Eagles’ Tuesday’s last game would just be a mere formality.
Eagles’ coaches will not keep quiet and watch Nwabali’s playfulness put them on the back foot, rather, riots acts’ reading would be a stitch in time to save nine.
The goalkeeping crisis that bedevilled Eagles gave birth to Nwabali and could still give birth to a lot more. Nwabali’s schoolboy acts shouldn’t be turned a blind eye to.
Uganda-based Amas Obasogie has been around Eagles for some time and could be looked at. His club consistency could be a huge point for him to stake a claim just like Nwabali broke the bull’s horns to become Eagles’ number one keeper.
Cyprus-based Adebayo Adeleye has been tasted once in his country’s colours and could also grab a chance.
Nwabali must watch his back now and prick himself to reality that all that glitters isn’t gold.
Enough of those playful acts Nwabali, Eagles’ goal line isn’t a playground.
IKENWA ASHIBUOGWU NNABUOGOR
