Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has shared the emotional struggle he has faced after losing both of his parents within a short span.
Speaking 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, Nwabali 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.”
