Stanley Nwabali, the goalkeeper for the Super Eagles in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has revealed the reason behind his vocal exchange with teammate Alex Iwobi during their quarterfinal match against Angola. Nigeria secured a 1-0 win, advancing to the semifinals with a goal from Ademola Lookman in the first half.

During the 59th minute, cameras captured Nwabali shouting at midfielder Iwobi, following a close call from the Angolan team’s substitute, Zini. Iwobi’s midfield misstep had nearly resulted in an equalizing goal for Angola.

Addressing reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Nwabali emphasized the importance of unity in a team game. He downplayed the incident, stating that it was possibly part of their strategy at that moment. He also highlighted the team’s defensive record, having maintained four clean sheets while conceding only one goal, showcasing the squad’s cohesion and improving understanding on the field.