•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.”

Photo: Onuachu (right) celebrates scoring with Dele-Bashiru [AFP].

Nigeria’s Super Eagles scored a 3-1 victory over Uganda in their final Group C match this evening at the Fez Stadium in Morocco.

The win sees Nigeria finish top of Group C with a maximum nine points, while Uganda end the group stage at the bottom and exit the tournament.

Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute, poking home from close range after meeting a low cross from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to give the Super Eagles its first-half lead.

Nigeria dominated much of the opening period, creating several chances while Uganda struggled to cope with the three-time champion pace and movement.

The Eagles stepped up their intensity after the break and doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute.

Samuel Chukwueze squared the ball into the box for Raphael Onyedika, who took a fine first touch before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.

Five minutes later, Onyedika struck again, firing into the bottom right corner from about 15 yards after latching onto another Chukwueze cut-back following a swift attacking move involving Onuachu.

Rogers Mato pulled one back for Uganda in the 75th minute with a composed finish over Uzoho, offering a consolation for the 10-man Cranes, but Nigeria remained dominant.

Music star Davido has emerged victorious after placing a winning bet on the Super Eagles’ opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The artist had staked $25,000 on a prediction that both Nigeria and Tanzania would score during their Group C encounter.

The match, played in Fes, Morocco, lived up to expectations as Nigeria secured a 2-1 win over Tanzania.

Ademola Lookman’s decisive goal sealed the victory for the Super Eagles, ensuring Davido’s prediction landed successfully.

The music star reportedly walked away with a payout of $96,564, turning his pre-match gamble into a significant win.

The outcome has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with fans praising both the Super Eagles’ performance and Davido’s football instincts.

(The Nation)