Nwabali hoping to face Bafana

ABIDJAN – Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is hoping to face South Africa in the 2023 Afcon semi-finals as opposed to Cape Verde.

Nigeria have gone four consecutive matches at the Africa Cup of Nations without conceding a goal, the latest one being on Friday when they silenced Angola 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

South Africa will later yesterday face Cape Verde with the winner playing the Super Eagles in the last four. Nwabali plays in the Premier Soccer League, turning out for Chippa United. He has rubbed shoulders with the majority of the Bafana Bafana players and is wishing to play against them on February 7.

INTERESTINGLY

Interestingly, South Africa have conceded just once in the four AFCON matches, scoring six goals in the process. Bafana have fast players such as Percy Tau, Evidence Makgopa, Themba Zwane, and Thapelo Maseko, and they would relish facing the likes of Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong and co.

The two teams met in the 2019 AFCON in Egypt and the Super Eagles registered a 2-1 win. “Both Cape Verde and South Africa are good teams, but I want to play against South Africa,” Nwabali told the media. “I really wish to see how my defense will fare against them. Yes, most of their players know me and I also know them.”

Meanwhile Kaizer Chiefs are looking to bolster their goalkeeping department in anticipation of Itumeleng Khune’s imminent departure or retirement. The veteran goalkeeper is currently a pundit for the public broadcaster, analysing AFCON games, where Chiefs have reportedly spotted his replacement. Nwabili has been doing well for Nigeria and Amakhosi are believed to be hot on the heels of the 27-year-old, according to a Soccer Laduma report.