Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has sent a pointed message following his return to the Nigeria squad for the September 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Chippa United goalkeeper posted a video on Snapchat featuring his penalty saves against Egypt stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush during Nigeria’s bronze-medal playoff at the 2025 AFCON.

Nwabali captioned the video: “I’m back, it’s time to keep crying 😂.” 

The 30-year-old was one of Nigeria’s key performers at the tournament in Morocco, saving penalties from Salah and Marmoush as the Super Eagles defeated Egypt 4–2 in the shootout to claim the bronze medal.

He was subsequently named Man of the Match for his performance.

Nwabali’s fortunes changed after the tournament when he left Chippa United in February 2026 in search of a new club.

However, the anticipated transfer did not materialise, leaving the goalkeeper without regular competitive football and resulting in his absence from subsequent Super Eagles squads. 

During Nwabali’s absence, Maduka Okoye became a regular option for Nigeria, starting the Super Eagles’ June friendly matches against Poland and Portugal.

Former Arsenal academy goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo also entered the picture after FIFA approved his switch of international allegiance, subsequently making his senior Nigeria debut at the 2026 Unity Cup.

Okonkwo started Nigeria’s matches against Zimbabwe and Jamaica at the tournament and kept clean sheets in both victories, adding another option to Nigeria’s goalkeeping department. 

Nwabali’s route back to the national team opened in July when Chippa United confirmed his return to the club, five months after his departure.

The South African club said the goalkeeper had “taken time away” before returning to the Eastern Cape.

He quickly reclaimed his place in the starting lineup and marked his competitive return against Golden Arrows with six saves and a clean sheet, earning the Man of the Match award. 

Nwabali has continued to feature regularly for Chippa United and produced another notable display in the club’s 1–1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns on September 12, making six saves.

His return to regular club football subsequently opened the door for his Super Eagles recall.

Head coach Éric Chelle included Nwabali alongside Okoye and Okonkwo for Nigeria’s September AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. 

Nwabali’s latest post does not identify who he was referring to with the “keep crying” remark.

The message, however, comes after months in which his place in the national team was uncertain, with Okoye and Okonkwo emerging as alternative goalkeeping options.

Nigeria will host Madagascar on Friday, September 25, in Uyo before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Nwabali now has an opportunity to compete for the starting position as Chelle begins Nigeria’s campaign for qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.