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Former Super Eagles star Brown Ideye has stated that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali should not be held responsible for Gabon’s equalising goal in Nigeria’s 4-1 victory in the 2026 World Cup playoff semi-final on Thursday evening.
Nigeria qualified for the mini-tournament as a top runner-up in the main qualification series.
Eric Chelle’s men finished behind South Africa, who received an automatic qualification from Group C.
Against the Panthers, the Eagles dominated the early exchanges of the game, but failed to find the goal that their dominance deserved.
In the 78th minute of the match, Adams Akor opened the scoring after he pounced on a loose ball to score into an empty net.
But Gabon levelled 10 minutes later, as Mario Lemina’s deflected effort crept in past Stanley Nwabali.
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Speaking on Super Sports, Brown Ideye, who was on punditry duties, said that Nwabali should not be blamed for the goal especially since it was a deflection.
“Even the best goalkeepers it will be difficult for them to save that,” Ideye said.
“I think we can’t blame Nwabali for that. You know, it’s deflation. It can happen in football. You know how it is when the goalkeeper is beating in his near post.
“It’s difficult to blame Nwabali for that.”
Chidera Ejuke finished off Wilfred Ndidi’s pass to restore Nigeria’s lead early in the first half extra-time before Victor Osimhen added a brace.
Nigeria will now face the winner between DR Congo and Cameroon, to claim the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.
