Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has equalled the record of Best Ogedegbe after keeping four clean sheets at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The remarkable feat was achieved when Nigeria defeated Angola in the quarter-finals on Friday at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
Ademola Lookman’s lone goal in the first half was enough to send the Super Eagles through to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Nwabali was entrusted with confidence as he took over the number one spot from Francis Uzoho.
After conceding in the first game against Equatorial Guinea, the 27-year-old Chippa United goalkeeper has gone four games on the trot without conceding a single goal.
In matches against hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, and Angola, the lanky shot stopper was not beaten.
This makes Nwabali equal the record of Ogedegbe in 1980 when Nigeria hosted and won the AFCON title on home soil.
Already, Nwabali equalled the record of Alloy Agu in 1990 after the 2-0 win over Cameroon, and the win against Angola has made him match Ogedegbe’s 44-year-old record.
The Super Eagles now continue in their quest to land a 4th continental glory as they now set their sight on the title.
Nwabali will hope to continue his impressive performance in the tournament as the three-time champions await a semi-final opponent of either South Africa or Cape Verde at the Africa Cup of Nations.
