Afrigather 
Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stands on the point of historical past because the Tremendous Eagles lock horns with Cameroon within the final 16 spherical of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Anticipated to take care of his position because the first-choice goalkeeper, Nwabali’s meteoric rise up to now two months has thrust him right into a place the place he may rewrite the file books for his nation.
What historic feat is inside Nwabali’s grasp?
He may grow to be the primary Nigerian goalkeeper to safe a clear sheet in opposition to Cameroon within the AFCON. A statistic that has eluded the Tremendous Eagles of their seven earlier encounters on the continental championships, going through the Indomitable Lions.
High quality has not been missing in Nigeria’s goalkeeping division through the years.
Within the 1984 AFCON ultimate, Patrick Okala, brother of the legendary Emmanuel Okala, manned the purpose for Nigeria, but Cameroon emerged triumphant with a 3-1 victory to say their maiden title.
Peter Rufai, guarding the web through the 1988 group stage, noticed a 1-1 draw unfold, solely to concede within the ultimate, leading to Nigeria shedding one other AFCON trophy to the Lions.
The narrative continued on the 1992 AFCON in Senegal when Nigeria secured their first AFCON win over Cameroon within the third-place match.
Nevertheless, goalkeeper Alloysius Agu couldn’t maintain a clear sheet within the 2-1 victory.
The 12 months 2000 witnessed Ike Shorunmu conceding twice in a 2-2 draw through the ultimate, finally resulting in Cameroon’s victory in penalties.
One in every of Nigeria’s biggest goalkeepers of all time, Vincent Enyeama, stood guard within the 2004 quarterfinals because the Tremendous Eagles orchestrated a memorable 2-1 win over the Indomitable Lions. Even the previous Lille hero couldn’t assist Nigeria safe a clear sheet.
Nonetheless, Cameroon discovered the web twice as Nigeria secured a 3-2 victory on the 2019 version of the continental championships, with Daniel Akpeyi between the posts.
As Nwabali prepares for tonight’s showdown in Abidjan, the query looms: Can the Chippa United shot-stopper break the streak and obtain what the legendary goalkeepers earlier than him couldn’t — preserving a clear sheet in opposition to Cameroon?
All eyes are on Nwabali as he goals to etch his title in AFCON historical past.
NB: We apologize for the error in stating Emmanuel Okala as Nigeria’s goalkeeper within the 1984 AFCON ultimate; it was, actually, Patrick Okala. We’ve corrected the error and recognize your understanding.
