Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali says he struggled with thoughts of quitting football following the deaths of both his parents, describing the period as the most difficult of his career.
The 29-year-old, who plays his club football with Chippa United in South Africa, lost his father in November 2024 shortly after Nigeria’s draw with Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Two months later, on 1 January 2025, his mother also died.
Nwabali was allowed to leave the Super Eagles camp at the time by then interim coach Austin Eguavoen, but the emotional impact has lingered into Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign in Morocco.
“I don’t want to talk about my parents because in a few hours it will be exactly one year since I lost my mum,” Nwabali told ACL Sports.
Photo Credit: AFP
“I try to keep a lot of things to myself. I tried to move on, to be strong, but most times I want to quit.”
The goalkeeper, who was one of Nigeria’s standout performers at AFCON 2023, has seen his form dip in recent months and has also been managing an injury during the current tournament. He was named on the bench for Nigeria’s group-stage match against Tanzania.
Nwabali said losing both parents in quick succession had been overwhelming.
“I lost my mum and my dad, but my mum was so dear to me. It’s so painful,” he said. “It’s not a nice feeling for a footballer, or even a human being, to lose both parents.”
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“My dad was just a month before my mum, and I’m here playing football. Some people move on, some don’t.”
Nwabali. Photo Credit: Justina Aniefiok
He revealed that he had spoken to Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong about stepping away from the game altogether.
“I told my captain that I want to leave football,” Nwabali added. “With the help of my teammates, I’ve been able to keep going, but it hurts a lot.”
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Nigeria have reached the knockout stages of AFCON 2025, and head coach Eric Chelle will be hoping his first-choice goalkeeper can regain full fitness and focus as the Super Eagles continue their campaign.
