EXCLUSIVE: Bonfrere Warn Super Eagles – Protect Nwabali To Avoid Mistake

Former Nigeria coach, Jo Bonfrere, don warn Super Eagles defenders make dem protect goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali well ahead of di crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying play-offs for Morocco. Bonfrere talk say if dem no give Nwabali enough protection, e fit lead to careless goals wey go cost Nigeria di World Cup ticket wey go happen for Mexico, USA, and Canada. Di 79-year-old coach talk from im base for Netherlands say when goalkeepers dey overexposed, dem dey make mistake under pressure. He yarn say no be only defenders suppose protect Nwabali, but di whole team — defenders, midfielders, and attackers — must join body to defend well. “Dis one suppose start from training; di coach must give instruction, make di team well organised. If you expose di keeper too much, e go definitely make mistake,” Bonfrere talk.

Nwabali don dey face criticism recently after some blunders, especially for Nigeria 2–1 win against Lesotho. Bonfrere talk say di solution na better teamwork and discipline. He remind Nigerians of how he lead Dream Team I win Olympic gold for 1996 and carry Super Eagles reach AFCON final for 2000. Di former Dutch coach still believe say Nigeria get chance to qualify for di 2026 World Cup, say even though dem no start well, di boys don recover and fit fight Gabon and maybe Cameroon or DR Congo for di ticket.