Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has revealed that teammate Francis Uzoho remains the team's first choice shot stopper at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast.
Nwabali also revealed what Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro told him before Super Eagles 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.
The Chippa United shot-stopper has benched Uzoho at the tournament, despite his lack of experience on the international stage.
He has featured in Nigeria's first two games at the AFCON, keeping a clean sheet against the host nation Ivory Coast.
Speaking to The Guardian UK reporter, Osasu Obayiuwana, Nwabali said: "To be honest it has been nice, it has been God throughout but Iam not the first choice.
"Uzoho is still the first choice, I only had an opportunity to play. I feel I have to do my best when I have an opportunity to play.
"I was not expecting to play the opening game but I am ready even when I got the call-up but I was not sure of a starting place."
Nwabali added: "He [Peseiro] didn't talk to me initially. It was a day before our game, after our last training he came to me, 'Stanley keep it to yourself, you are going to play'. I told him I am always ready and not worried about it."
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