Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali bags chieftaincy title
More accolades have continued to come the way of Super Eagles and Chippa’s United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, the latest being an award of Chieftaincy title bestowed on him by the traditional ruler of Mgbede Community in Egbema Kingdom of Rivers State.
The traditional ruler of the Mgbede community in Egbema Kingdom, Rivers State, Nzeobi Amida, conferred a chieftaincy title on Stanley Nwabali who has been showered with awards by the Federal and state governments respectively following his heroic display at the just concluded 34th AFCON in Ivory Coast despite Eagles failure to realise their dream of lifting the trophy for a record four times.
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The chieftaincy title conferred on Nwabali is Ugo Egbema, “The Pride of Egbema Kingdom”. This is to celebrate the goalkeeper for his outstanding outing at the just concluded 2023 AFCON.
Recall that during the tournament in Ivory Coast, the 27-year-old Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper recorded four clean sheets in seven games.
During the semi-final game between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and South Africa, Stanley Nwabali saved two penalty kicks to help the Eagles win the game.
Unfortunately, the former Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper couldn’t help Nigeria beat the hosts of the tournament, Ivory Coast, in the final on Sunday, February 11.
Since the team arrived in Nigeria, most of the players have been celebrated by different groups and states across the country after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted them at the presidential villa in Abuja.
During the meeting, the president conferred on the players national awards and also rewarded them with money.
Nwabali was gifted N20 million by the Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara to appreciate him for his contribution to the Super Eagles’ run at the 2023 AFCON.
Most fans during the Nations cup confessed they were swept away not only by Nwabali’s performance behind the sticks but also tickled by his confidence level in the course of doing his job. They gave Chippa United a pat on the back for showing sportsmanship during Nigeria vs South Africa semifinal clash that saw Nigeria progress to the final as the expense of the Rainbow Nation.
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The feat generated a lot of bad blood from some South African fans who threatened Nwabali for doing his job to the point of warning him not to return to South Africa after the championship.
Chippa United however stood solidly behind their goalkeeper telling whoever cares to listen that in football if you lose today you can win tomorrow. With his new Chieftaincy title the goalie who is sure to have a place when Nigeria flags off campaign for the 2026 World cup in USA may as well be addressed as Stanley Nwabali, Ugo Egbema, (MON).