AFCON 2025
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali says he and his colleagues started their chase of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup too late.
The Chippa United goalkeeper added that a little more effort from the team could have put them in a better place as they now risk missing out of the World Cup for the second time in a row.
However, Nwabali says he hopes the team take the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations later this year in Morocco more seriously.
Nwabali spoke to British-Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana after Super Eagles one-all draw against South Africa in Blomfontein on Tuesday evening.
“We (as a team) should have made more effort to qualify for the #fifaworldcup26. We left it very late… We have an #AFCON to prepare for and I hope we take that very seriously,”
He added that there are no longer easy games on the continent. Consequently, the team must prepare adequately ahead.
“The rest of Africa is coming up and we should not expect easy games on the continent anymore. We must prepare properly if we want to win and qualify for tournaments.”
Stanley Nwabali confirmed he played through injury in the matches against Rwanda and South Africa.
When asked about his contract situation at Chippa United, the Nwabali says he would like to play in Europe as he enters the final year of his contract with the PSL side.
“I would like to be in Europe now. But I have a contract with my current club, who were not prepared to let me go. I have to honour the contract I signed.”
Super Eagles chances of qualifying for the World Cup in the United States next year suffered another major setback after the 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana.
A win could have boosted the hopes of the team after the win over Rwanda in Uyo last Saturday but the three-time African champions are now at risk of missing out as they sit third in Group C with 11 points.
