Former defender Sam Sodje has raised concerns about the behavior of Nigeria’s Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, labeling it as overly confident and potentially harmful to the team.
In a discussion on Brila FM, Sodje backed head coach Eric Chelle’s consideration of other goalkeeping options ahead of next month’s FIFA World Cup playoffs. He noted that Nwabali’s behavior shows signs of overconfidence rather than just confidence.
“There’s a difference between being confident and having a bad attitude,” Sodje remarked. “He seems unable to manage the pressures of fame and success. He needs to settle down.”
Sodje emphasized that this mindset could lead to serious mistakes if not addressed promptly, which could cost the team vital points.
“If the coach believes Stanley might jeopardize our chances, he must take action now. The team may need a psychologist to help him regain focus,” he added, referencing veteran players in the squad. “Someone should talk to him before the situation escalates.” Sodje concluded that discipline and calmness are crucial for Nigeria’s important upcoming matches.