By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dosu Joseph, has thrown his weight behind current national team shot-stopper, Stanley Nwabali, urging him to stay focused despite mounting criticism following Nigeria’s narrow 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Nwabali, who plies his trade with South Africa’s Chippa United, came under heavy scrutiny after a late blunder almost cost the Eagles valuable points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. The goalkeeper failed to deal cleanly with a corner kick, allowing Hlompho Kalake to pull one back for Lesotho with just seven minutes left on the clock.
The 27-year-old also sparked a moment of panic in stoppage time after a miscommunication with defender Semi Ajayi nearly gifted the visitors another chance.
Since the match, Nwabali has faced a wave of backlash from fans who accused him of overconfidence and complacency.
However, in a show of support, 1996 Olympic gold medalist Dosu Joseph took to social media platform X to encourage the goalkeeper to maintain his composure and focus amid the criticism.
“My advice to you is to remain focused at this crucial time. Stay concentrated and committed,” Dosu wrote.
Despite the shaky finish, Nigeria held on for all three points, a result that keeps them third in Group C behind Benin Republic and South Africa.
The Super Eagles now face a must-win clash against Benin in their final group game and will also be banking on South Africa to drop points against Rwanda if they hope to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
