Stanley Nwabali needs competition like Enyeama had – Former Kayserispor goalkeeper

Stanley Nwabali has faced criticism from a section of the Nigerian football community over his attitude on the pitch…

Former Kayserispor goalkeeper Alloy Agu has called for stronger competition in Nigeria’s goalkeeping department, Soccernet.ng exclusively reports.

Agu insists that current first-choice Stanley Nwabali will only reach his full potential if challenged by equally talented goalkeepers.

Speaking exclusively to Soccernet.ng, the former Kayserispor shot-stopper commended Nwabali’s progress since breaking into the Super Eagles setup but noted that the team must do more to support him as Nigeria continues its quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Agu Urges Improvement for Stanley Nwabali

Agu believes that while Nwabali has shown promise, there are still technical and psychological areas the goalkeeper can improve on.

He emphasized that criticism should be constructive and aimed at helping the player grow and strengthen the national team.

“Well, number one, Stanley [Nwabali] has done well and he has kept the hope of Nigerians higher. But, like you said, there are some things that need to be pointed out, and that means also to help him and to help the team,” Agu told Soccernet.ng.

“I think I’m not going to, I don’t want to expose or talk about my goalkeeper, my player. I’ve never been a fan of that. But what I can just say is that there is room for improvement. We must look at all that he has done, identify areas he needs to improve, and where he needs to continue doing well.

So, areas he needs to improve, he should improve on them. But for me, I won’t go on air and talk anyhow about the number one goalkeeper of Nigeria. I only have encouragements, and I will encourage him to do well for Nigeria because we are at a crucial stage. We want to qualify for the World Cup, and I believe all things are possible.”

This comment from the former RFC Liège star follows Nwabali’s mixed performances during Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic, where his communication and decision-making were slammed by the fans.

Ex-Kayserispor Goalie Urges Enyeama-Like Competition for Nwabali

Drawing from his own Super Eagles experience, Agu revealed how healthy rivalry among goalkeepers once elevated Nigeria’s goalkeeping standards, citing the famous competition between Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, and Dele Ayenugba.

“I think Vincent [Enyeama] had the same thing with Dele Ayenugba and Austin Ejide — and every one of us had that — so it brings out the best in us. We need such competition around him [Nwabali] also,” Agu added.

“I think there is a goalkeeper that is also doing well, John Noble, I think in Tanzania. I’ve watched some of his games and he’s doing well. So, the moment we have capable hands around Nwabali who can give him competition, I think that makes it much easier for the team.”

Agu, who represented Kayserispor between 1994 and 1997 and later served as Nigeria’s goalkeeper coach between 2021 and 2023, believes that replicating the kind of healthy rivalry that once existed during Enyeama’s era will boost Nwabali’s performance and strengthen the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping depth ahead of future qualifiers.