Connect with us

Sports

Nwabali: I almost quit football when my parents died

On January 1, Nwabali took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the passing of his mother, describing 2025 as “the worst year of my life.

Published

on

265 Views

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has shared the emotional struggles he has faced after he lost both of his parents within a short span

Nwabali , in an interview with ACL Sports while in camp with the Super Eagles in Morocco, as the team prepares for their Round of 16 tie after qualifying top of Group C with an untainted nine points from three matches, reflected on his journey through grief.

He revealed that the loss of his parents last year was particularly painful and at one point made him consider quitting football.

With the support of his teammates, he found the strength to continue playing despite the immense grief.

“My mom passed away on this day last year around 12 pm. 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. But with the support of some of my teammates, I was able to carry on.

My mom 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, only hours after he played in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in the 2025 Nations Cup qualifiers.

On January 1, Nwabali took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the passing of his mother, describing 2025 as “the worst year of my life.”

He wrote: “RIP mom, worst year of my life already,” alongside heartbreak and tear emojis. Before the announcement, he had posted: “A very very crazy world indeed.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Germany defender Sule to retire this summer aged 30

The ex-Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim player was set to be out of contract on 30 June and will retire after the final game of the season.

Published

on

By

39 Views

Germany defender, Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Sule has chosen to retire this summer at the age of 30.

Borussia injured his knee in last month’s Bundesliga defeat at Hoffenheim and initially thought he had suffered a cruciate ligament tear for the third time.

Although he then discovered he had avoided a cruciate ligament tear, Sule says he already felt that his career “was over” as he did not want to risk another serious injury.

The ex-Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim player was set to be out of contract on 30 June and will retire after the final game of the season.

After initial tests on his knee, Sule said on the Spielmacher podcast,, external that he “went into the shower and cried for 10 minutes”.

Continue Reading

Sports

NFF appoints new Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles coaches

Maikaba and Uwejamomere’s appointments followed the reshuffling of the backroom of all age grade national football teams.

Published

on

By

37 Views

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointments of Abdu Maikaba and Eboboritse Uwejamomere as head coaches of the men’s national U-20 and the U-17 boys national team respectively.

Maikaba and Uwejamomere’s appointments followed the reshuffling of the backroom of all age grade national football teams.

Maikaba, who has managed several of Nigeria’s prestigious clubs, has also previously coached the U17 Boys’ National Team, known as Golden Eaglets. He was assistant coach of the U20 Boys, Flying Eagles, during the period Paul Aigbogun served as head coach.

He has served time with top-of-the-range teams Enyimba FC, Wikki Tourists, Kano Pillars and Plateau United, and famously led Akwa United FC to win the oldest and most prestigious football competition in the land (now known as President Federation Cup) in 2017.

Uwejamomere, the new head coach of five-time world champions Golden Eaglets, has served as coach-analyst with the senior men national team, Super Eagles, for many years now.

He is presently head of academy at Sporting Lagos FC, which recently gained promotion back to the NPFL, and worked as analyst with the senior women national team, Super Falcons, as well as academy youth development coach at Millwall FC, Gillingham FC and Nottingham Forest FC in England.

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of the Federation’s Technical and Development Committee for the appointments of Abdu Maikaba and Eboboritse Uwejamomere as head coaches of the U20 and U17 Boys National Teams,” the NFF announced on Thursday.

Continue Reading

Sports

Shakira announces 2026 World Cup theme song featuring Burna Boy

The announcement has sparked excitement among football and music fans, especially with Burna Boy becoming one of the African artists to feature prominently on a World Cup anthem.

Published

on

By

49 Views

•Shakira on stage

Colombian superstar Shakira has announced the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring Nigerian Grammy-winning star Burna Boy.

The song, titled “Dai Dai,” will be released on May 14.

“From Maracaná Stadium, here is ‘Dai Dai,’ the FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026. Coming 5/14. We’re ready!” Shakira posted on X alongside a teaser for the track.

The announcement has sparked excitement among football and music fans, especially with Burna Boy becoming one of the African artists to feature prominently on a World Cup anthem.

Shakira is no stranger to World Cup songs.

Her 2010 hit Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) became one of the most iconic football anthems in history during the tournament in South Africa.

Recent World Cup theme songs have also featured global stars. In 2014, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte performed We Are One (Ole Ola) for the tournament in Brazil.

Continue Reading

Trending