Stanley Nwabali helped Nigeria keep a clean sheet against Cote d'Ivoire but Austin Jay Jay Okocha believes he wasn't given much to do in the match.
Nigerian legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha is not convinced the Super Eagles have solved their goalkeeping problems despite Stanley Nwabali's performance against Ivory Coast.
Okocha believes the Nwabali was not tested after Nigeria revived its AFCON 2023 hopes following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against host Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.
Nwabali shines for Nigeria
The former NPFL star helped the Super Eagles to a clean sheet and first win after a shaky start to the 34th AFCON in that opener against Equatorial Guinea.
Nwabali's confidence and calmness in between the sticks proved to be the decisive coy which Jose Peseiro's Eagles used to build their historic win against the Elephants.
However, despite the goalkeeper's brilliant contribution to the crucial win, Okocha noted that Nwabali did well but was not tested by the home side as Nigeria defended well.
"Well, I think they all played well, he played well as well," the former PSG man said after he was asked if the Super Eagles have finally solved their goalkeeping problem in a video by Nigerian journalist Calista Enejele.
"He played his role, (but) he wasn't really tested today because the team defended very well."
While Okocha's lukewarm assessment suggests that the former Wikki Tourist's safest hands have yet to truly convince, the 50-year-old icon was quick to add that Nwabali showed some good signs.
"He showed good signs of a good goalkeeper," the former AFCON winner added.
Nigeria's win against Cote d'Ivoire earned the Super Eagles their first win at the AFCON 2023, moving the team up to second place in Group A, behind Equatorial Guinea, who lead the group thanks to their superior goal difference.
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