Former Super Eagles star, Brown Ideye, has said goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali should not be blamed for Gabon’s equalising goal in Nigeria’s 4-1 in the 2026 World Cup playoff semi-final on Thursday evening.
Nigeria qualified for the mini-tournament as one of the best runners-up in the main qualifying series.
Eric Chelle’s men finished behind South Africa who grabbed the automatic ticket 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.
They were also lucky not to concede a penalty, after Bright Osayi-Samuel’s tug on the shirt was scrutinized through the VAR pitchside monitor. But the referee decided not to award a spot-kick.
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.
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.
