Nwabali said he considers Neuer his role model.
Speaking in an interview at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Nwabali said he loves watching videos of Neuer and playing him on Play Station.
In the video posted by photojournalist Pooja on X, the Super Eagles keeper said, “I love playing my PlayStation, I love watching my role model, I love watching Manuel Neuer even before my game, even two days before my game, even in the dressing room, I always watch him, and even before my game, I always play my PlayStation.”
The Super Eagles goalkeeper was subbed off in the 80th minute for Francis Uzoho in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Cameroon after a collision with Georges-Kevin N’Koudou left him in pain.
Coming back in time from the injury, Nwabali equalled former shot-stopper Best Ogedegbe’s 44-year record after keeping another clean sheet in Nigeria’s 1-0 quarter-finals win over Angola.
The Eagles beat the Palancas Negras on Friday to progress to the semi-finals of the 34th edition of the AFCON as they continued their quest to win the tournament for the fourth time, having done so in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
After keeping another clean sheet against the Angolans, the 27-year-old became the first Eagles goalkeeper to keep four consecutive clean sheets in a major tourney in 44 years, surpassing Alloy Agu’s three games in a row in 1990.
Despite his impressive performance earlier in the tournament, Nwabali insisted he was not the team’s number-one-choice goalkeeper.
Speaking after the game against Guinea-Bissau, Nwabali said, “I am still not seeing myself as number one; I always say this. I only have an opportunity and I just want to play and give my best.”
