Nwabali: These Playoffs Will Prepare Us Ahead Of AFCON

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has suggested that the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification playoffs will help them prepare for the AFCON in Morocco this December.

Nigeria is due to play against Gabon in Rabat on Thursday, with a win for the Super Eagles setting up a clash with either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final fixture to decide who joins the African contingent who already have their place at next year’s FIFA World Cup.

However, there has been disagreement between the players and the NFF, as players went on strike to demand their bonuses to be paid. Reports suggest players have been owed bonuses since 2019. 

“As Nigerians, we feel like it is really a second chance for us coming to these World Cup qualifiers,” said Nwabali

The 29-year-old also pondered their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

“Towards the end of the World Cup qualifiers, we started getting ourselves, knowing how the team is going to play and the shape, how we are going to build. I feel like these playoffs are also going to prepare ahead of AFCON,” said Nwabali.

Nwabali also spoke highly of his international teammate Victor Osimhen, expressing his delight at the Galatasaray striker’s recent form for the Super Eagles.

The former Napoli striker scored a hat-trick in Nigeria’s 4-0 win against Benin in their final Group C match, which saw his country book a playoff spot.

“I do not know how to describe Osimhen, he is just too good for me. I do not know how to describe him. I feel like he is just too good for me. Nigeria has lots of stars in the team. Everyone in the team can do the job, but I feel like having these guys in the team is a big boost to the country. We always want them to be in form, for you to see how the country and team are going to look more solid,” added the Chippa United goalkeeper.

Nigerians will certainly be hoping that their stars can help them secure World Cup qualification for the first time since 2018.