Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has explained why Stanley Nwabali will remain as the first choice of the team despite the return of Maduka Okoye, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
There have been talks about Nwabali’s recent form for club and country, which has been erratic lately and it almost proved costly for Nigeria in the world cup qualifiers, when his error gifted Lesotho a goal that meant Nigeria had to Benin Republic 4-0.
They did as expected but it raised questions about Nwabali continuing as first choice, especially with Maduka Okoye back for Udinese after a suspension due to a betting regulation breach.
But Chelle has stuck with his man, and explained why in an interview with former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami.
“Nobody knows what I ask of my players. Sometimes they make mistakes, which is normal. Maybe I told Nwabali to be strong. I don’t want a nice guy in my team,” Chelle said in an exclusive interview with Super Eagles legend.
“I played with a goalkeeper during my active days, a Serbian goalkeeper. This guy was crazy on the pitch, because he was crazy, we the defenders were also crazy too.
“I want a player with top character. I know that sometimes he needs to relax, the reality is that Stanley gives everything on the pitch for the team, and the country.”
