Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s representative, Mohammed Lawal, has revealed that the goalkeeper’s decision to step away from football was influenced by overwhelming grief following the loss of three close family members.
Speaking exclusively to ESPN, Lawal explained that Nwabali’s absence was not only a decision to leave Chippa United but also a temporary withdrawal from the game itself as he battled the emotional impact of losing his grandmother, father and mother within a two-month period.
“It has been very difficult for Stanley,” Lawal said.
He added that the tragic events significantly affected the goalkeeper’s personality and behaviour on the pitch, with many unaware of the personal struggles he was facing.
“If you look back, you’ll see the difference. Stanley used to be lively and always smiling. During the last AFCON and the World Cup qualifiers, he became unusually aggressive. He was shouting at teammates and confronting opponents. But that wasn’t the real Stanley,” Lawal explained.
“When he first started playing for Nigeria, everyone talked about how calm he was under pressure. Later, people thought he had become overconfident or aggressive. They didn’t know what was happening inside him.”
Nwabali, who became a national hero after his impressive performances for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has been dealing with the emotional aftermath of his family losses while prioritising his mental wellbeing.
His representative stressed that stepping away from football was a necessary decision to allow the goalkeeper time to recover and regain his balance.
