AFCON 2027Q: Nwabali Responds to Critics After Super Eagles Recall

<p>By Matthew Okon<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has responded to his critics following his return to the squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign&period;<&sol;strong><&sol;p><p class&equals;"ari-link"><strong>Read also&colon;<&sol;strong> <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;sparknewsdaily&period;com&period;ng&sol;stop-the-drama-wikes-aide-slams-peter-obi-over-wifes-n200m-handbag&sol;">&&num;8216&semi;Stop the Drama’ — Wike’s Aide Slams Peter Obi Over Wife’s N200m Handbag<&sol;a><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Nwabali&comma; who was included in the latest squad announced by head coach Eric Chelle&comma; appeared to send a message to those who questioned his return to the national team&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The Chippa United goalkeeper on Tuesday posted a video on his Instagram Story featuring his penalty saves against Egypt during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Nwabali saved penalties from Egypt stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as Nigeria secured a bronze medal after winning the third-place match on penalties&period;<&sol;p><p class&equals;"ari-link"><strong>Read also&colon;<&sol;strong> <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;sparknewsdaily&period;com&period;ng&sol;eu-sdgn-faults-party-primaries-says-nomination-more-formal-but-less-verifiable-ahead-of-2027&sol;">EU-SDGN Faults Party Primaries&comma; Says Nomination More Formal But Less Verifiable Ahead of 2027<&sol;a><&sol;p><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Accompanying the video&comma; Nwabali wrote&colon; &OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;I’m back&comma; it’s time to keep crying&period;”<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>His return comes after a difficult period with the national team following his abrupt departure from Chippa United in February 2026&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The goalkeeper subsequently struggled to secure another club and his lack of competitive football saw him lose his place in the Super Eagles&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"ari-link"><strong>Read also&colon;<&sol;strong> <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;sparknewsdaily&period;com&period;ng&sol;otti-unveils-abia-lp-campaign-council-names-orji-isiala-ngwa-north-coordinator&sol;">Otti Unveils Abia LP Campaign Council&comma; Names Orji Isiala Ngwa North Coordinator<&sol;a><&sol;p><p>Chelle instead relied on Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye&comma; while Arthur Okonkwo emerged as another option after receiving FIFA approval to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Nwabali’s recall now gives him another opportunity to reclaim his position as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;