Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali says he got the news of his father’s death on Thursday night during the AFCON 2025 qualifying encounter with the cheetahs of Benin Republic.

Nwabali who wrote on his official Facebook page, said he managed to continue to play his goal keeping role for the Nigerian senior national football team even after hearing of the passing away of his father.

He wrote: “I got a call during the match last night dat my dad has gone, I managed to keep with a broken heart. Rest in heaven dad, oh God accept his soul.”

In a second post, Nwabali said it would have been painful if the Super Eagles had lost the match to the Benin football team at the same time he lost his father. He said, he only told the Super Eagles lead striker, Victor Osimhen about the death of his father.

“Imagine losing my dad and the match yesterday, that would have been too much of pain. I was disorganized when the news arrived, told only Victor Osimhen, we can’t lose diz match. The death of my dad is a big blow to my career but God will see me through

“I will leaving Abidjan diz morning, Good luck to my Team. Rip senior man.”

The Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Benin Republic in the match. Their qualification for AFCON 2025 had already been ensured following the defeat of Rwanda by Libya in the Group D of the qualifying series. The Super Eagles lead the group with 11 points with one game left to play with Rwanda.