Former Nigeria international Edema Fuludu has expressed concern over the recent performances of Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, warning that the shot-stopper may be losing focus at a critical point in the World Cup qualifying campaign, Footynaija.com reports.
The Chippa United man, who became a national hero after his displays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has faced increasing criticism for what fans describe as unnecessary theatrics and a dip in concentration during recent qualifiers.
Nigeria’s path to the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain, with the team under pressure to deliver in their upcoming fixtures. The tension has grown among fans after Nwabali’s recent showboating moments, which some see as a lack of seriousness when calm and consistency are needed most.
Related Post
Speaking with Sports Radio Brila FM, as reported by Vanguard, Fuludu said:
“The man has become complacent. I don’t know what he’s thinking now or what he believes he has achieved so far. Uzoho left, he (Nwabali) came in and became the toast of Nigerians. Maybe he doesn’t understand that at this stage, we need goals and focus to get to where we want to be, beyond just winning.”
The former midfielder, who was part of Nigeria’s setup in the 1990s, added that Nwabali must be called to order before the situation gets worse.
“For me, he should be spoken to in a language he understands. I don’t know if he’s unfit or what the training schedule looks like, but I strongly believe complacency has set in – and he cannot continue like that,” he warned.
He further urged the technical crew, led by Eric Chelle, to handle the situation quickly to avoid another goalkeeping controversy.
“If he wants to man the goal in our next games, they should talk to him before Nigerians descend on him. You know Nigerians, we don’t forgive easily,” Fuludu added.
Nwabali, 28, has been Nigeria’s number one since AFCON 2023, but with Maduka Okoye now back from suspension, competition for the gloves could heat up once again.
The Super Eagles’ next World Cup qualifying fixtures are must-win encounters, with only the group leaders guaranteed a direct ticket to the tournament.
As things stand, Nigeria’s qualification hopes depend on focus and discipline, both on and off the ball; and Fuludu’s comments reflect the mood of many fans who believe the team can’t afford any distractions at this stage.
