Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has broken his silence apologizing to Nigerians after 2023 AFCON final defeat to Ivory Coast, MySportDab reports.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria closed up on their fourth AFCON trophy after reaching their 8th final but lost to the superior attacking arsenal of the host country Ivory Coast.
An underwhelming performance by the three-time African champions saw the Ivoriens rose to the ascendancy in the game from start to finish.
Meanwhile, William-Troost Ekong had fired the Super Eagles into the lead against the run of play when he nodded home a poorly cleared corner-kick. The Super Eagles went into the first half with the lead.
In the second half, Ivory Coast raised the intensity of their game and it was just a matter of time before they found the equaliser. Franck Kessie, left unmarked in the box, nodded home Simon Adingra’s corner-kick to level the score for the hosts.
In the 82nd minute, Sebastian Haller scored beauty, poking home a cross from Adingra to give the Ivoriens the lead. The Elephants grabbed a deserved comeback win to clinch their third AFCON title with the Super Eagles settling for the Silver medal.
Reacting to the loss, Nigeria goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has taken to his social media handle to express his disappointment while apologizing to Nigeria fans for the loss.
Nwabali wrote on his X handle, “A disappointing and frustrating end😞. I deeply apologise to Nigerians . I was once a fan, still a fan and I understand how it feels giving you a disappointing night. We take full responsibility. Thanks for the whole support till the end. I love you all🇳🇬.
A disappointing and frustrating end😞. I deeply apologise to Nigerians . I was once a fan, still a fan and I understand how it feels giving you a disappointing night. We take full responsibility. Thanks for the whole support till the end. I love you all🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/2ZWOxjBRAv
— Nwabali Stanley bobo (M.O.N) (@NwabaliBobo) February 13, 2024
Nwabali and other members of the Super Eagles squad are expected to be received by the Nigerian government in Abuja after their prolific sail in the continental showpiece.
Nigeria has now reached 8th AFCON final – the most by any African team – winning three and losing five.
