Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lamented the Super Eagles’ 2-1 defeat in the hands of Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday, describing it as a disappointing and frustrating end.
He, however, apologized to Nigerians for the loss.
Nwabali made his position known in a post on Instagram.
Nigeria initially took the lead in the 18th minute through a header from William Troost-Ekong, but Ivory Coast equalized in the 63rd minute and secured the winning goal in the 87th minute, prompting celebrations among the hosts and their fans at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.
Nwabali shared a picture of himself looking disheartened on the pitch, accompanied by the caption, “A disappointing and frustrating end. I deeply apologize to Nigerians. I was once a fan and still am, and I understand how it feels to give you a disappointing night. We take full responsibility.
“Thanks for the whole support till the end. I love you all, he added.”