Super Eagles number-one Stanley Nwabali has made a surprising choice in his selection for the world’s best goalkeeper, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nwabali snubbed elite names like Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez in favour of South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
Both Nwabali and Williams were standout performers at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year.
While Nigeria finished as runners-up, Williams helped Bafana win a bronze medal, earning widespread praise for his heroics, including five clean sheets.
His exceptional performances, highlighted by saving four penalties in South Africa’s quarter-final win against Cape Verde, made him a sensation during the tournament.
Though Nwabali kept four clean sheets himself, Williams narrowly edged him out for the best goalkeeper award at AFCON.
Williams, 32, was also instrumental for Mamelodi Sundowns, helping them secure their seventh consecutive league title and the inaugural African Football League trophy.
His stellar year for club and country saw him nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or.
Williams was nominated alongside Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint Germain), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), and Yann Sommer (Inter Milan).
Still, Nwabali speaks highly of Williams’ consistency both internationally and at the club level and believes the Bafana skipper is the finest on the planet.
“I really see him as the best goalkeeper in the world. He really inspires me with how he plays, and I’m not surprised to see him on the list of nominees of the best goalkeepers in the world,” Nwabali told iDiskiTimes on Tuesday.
“Ronwen Williams did really well and not only at the AFCON but at club level as well.”
Nwabali, who has kept six clean sheets in 11 competitive games for Nigeria this year, will look to carry his strong form into Nigeria’s upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Libya in October.