Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has spoken about the emotional pain he went through after losing both of his parents within a short space of time.
Speaking in an interview with ACL Sports while on camp with the Super Eagles in Morocco ahead of their Round of 16 encounter — after finishing top of Group C with a flawless nine points from three games — Nwabali opened up about his struggle with grief.
The shot-stopper revealed that the death of his parents last year left him heartbroken and at a point made him consider walking away from football altogether.
Despite the crushing loss, he said the support and encouragement of his teammates helped him find the courage to push on.
“My mum passed away on this day last year around 12pm. I try to move on and be strong, but sometimes I feel like quitting. At one point, I even told my captain that I wanted to quit football,” he said on Wednesday.
Related News
2026 Sporting Calendar: Nigeria prepares for historic year
Solidarity! Osimhen, Ndidi, Osayi console Joshua after fatal loss
Remo Stars set for Ikenne return
“But with the support of some of my teammates, I was able to carry on. My mum and dad were so dear to me. Losing them has been incredibly painful. It’s not something any footballer—or any human—should have to experience: losing both parents.”
Nwabali’s father passed away in November 2025, just hours after the goalkeeper featured in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with Benin Republic in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
On January 1, Nwabali confirmed his mother’s passing on social media platform X, describing 2025 as “the worst year of my life.”
He wrote, “RIP mum, worst year of my life already,” accompanied by heartbreak and tear emojis, and had earlier posted, “A very very crazy world indeed.”