I felt like quitting football – Nwabali speaks on heartbreak of losing parents

Stanley-Nwabali

Stanley Nwabali

By Seyi Babalola

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has admitted that after losing both parents, he pondered quitting football, stating the tragedy made him rethink his future in the sport.

In an emotional interview with ACLSports on Wednesday, Nwabali discussed the devastating experience of coping with the loss of his mother, just two months after losing his father.

“I don’t want to talk about my parents because tomorrow should be crossover night. Yeah, today actually.

“My mom died around two o’clock today. So, on how I try to keep a lot of things to myself, try to move on, try to be a stronger guy I was,” he said.

Reflecting on the depth of his pain, Nwabali admitted that at times he felt like quitting football altogether.

“Most times I feel like to quit, you know? I feel like to quit because, yeah, you know, mom and dad, but my mom is so dear to me. Really, it’s so painful, man. It’s really so painful to be talking about my mom today, bro,” he said.

He described the challenge of losing both parents at the same time.

“But I feel like it hurts. Yeah, it really hurts. No, I feel like talking a lot, but I feel like talking a lot because I try not to give room for this, but now I’m here.

“So, it’s not a nice feeling for any soccer player. Let me not talk about soccer player, human being in general, to lose both parents at the same time,” Nwabali added.

Despite the immense loss, Nwabali credited his teammates for helping him continue playing.

“So, and I’m standing here playing football. Yeah, it’s true. Yeah, some people move on, some people don’t move on. I could remember I was talking to my captain that I want to leave football. You understand me? But with the help of some of my teammates, I keep going, bro. It really hurts,” he said.

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