Nigeria’s goalkeeper and AFCON semi-final hero, Stanley Nwabili has reportedly been threatened by South Africans not to return to his South African club side, Chippa United following his heroics against the country in the semi-final of the ongoing African cup of nations.
Punch, Vanguard and several other media channels on Thursday reported the ugly incident which is coming after the goalkeeper’s impressive performance during the semi-final clash against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday denied the South Africans a place in final.
According to a former Super Eagles star, Idah Peterside, some fans have already told the Super Eagles shot-stopper not to return to Chippa United after the tournament.
Mr. Peterside revealed this during an interview on Channels TV, on Thursday. He said, “We have gotten some reports of people sending messages to the goalkeeper, threatening him. I hear some saying ‘Don’t come back to South Africa since you didn’t want us to score when your team was playing. Stay back’.
He however noted that there have been only threats as no violence has been recorded so far.
He said “This is unacceptable. We have not heard of any violence, but just threats. They have been threatening him and others.”
Nwabali, who plies his trade for Chippa United in the South African Premier Soccer League has been impressive for the Super Eagles in the AFCON so far.
He was excellent during the semi-final clash against the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday where he stopped multiple attempts by South African players during regulation time before going on to save two spot-kicks during the penalty shootout and was declared man of the match.
It is said that some South Africans are not pleased that the goalkeeper prevented their team from making it to the finals.
Recall that the Super Eagles on Wednesday defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa on penalties in the semi-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.