Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has declared Stanley Nwabali Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, insisting that the Chippa United shot-stopper is better than Maduka Okoye.

 Nwabali started in goal as the Super Eagles secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Madagascar in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday.

 Okoye, who started Nigeria’s two June friendly matches, was left on the bench after arriving late for international duty. Coach Eric Chelle had permitted the Udinese goalkeeper to delay his arrival in camp to attend an event backed by his Italian club.

 Nwabali produced one of the decisive moments of the match in the 51st minute when he denied Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson in a one-on-one situation, preventing the visitors from restoring their lead.

 Speaking on SuperSport, Ikpeba praised the goalkeeper for his composure and determination, while suggesting that the save could have changed the outcome of the encounter.

 “Credit to Nwabali, he's the number one goalkeeper for the national team. In my opinion, he's better than Maduka,” Ikpeba said.

 “People at home might disagree, but he's the number one goalkeeper for the national team. He showed that attribute again, the belief, the determination, ‘I'm going to stop the lad.’

 “The Madagascar attacker should have done better if he had a technique like me in my days.

 “He saved our blushes because in that moment, if it was 2-1, you don't know what would have been the outcome of this game. The score might have ended 2-2 or we lose 2-1.”

 The Madagascar clash was Nwabali’s first appearance for Nigeria since he kept four consecutive clean sheets during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.