Nwabali reacts to losing AFCON Golden Glove to Bafana captain Williams

Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has reacted to losing out on the AFCON goalkeeper of the tournament award to Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams.

Williams won the Golden Glove at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast after keeping five clean sheets. He broke the record previously held by former goalkeeper Andre Arendse, which he achieved during the 1996 tournament.

His biggest competitor for the award was the Chippa United keeper Nwabali, who kept four clean sheets.

But Williams’ performances helped Bafana to a bronze medal finish, which includes a record four penalty saves against Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-finals. He also saved two penalties against DR Congo in the third-place playoffs on Saturday.

Speaking to the media after the Super Eagles’ 2-1 loss to hosts Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday, Nwabali gave credit to the Mamelodi Sundowns keeper.

STANLEY NWABALI GIVES CREDIT TO BAFANA BAFANA NUMBER ONE RONWEN WILLIAMS

“Ronwen Williams is a good goalkeeper, to be honest. Like, it’s not a loss to me with him winning [the goalkeeper of the tournament award]. He deserves it,” he said.

“To be honest, he is a very good goalkeeper. Competing with this kind of guy and getting a chance to win the goalkeeper of the tournament, he deserves it. I wish him well, and I give him credit.”

CAF 2023 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS AWARDS

Meanwhile, CAF also awarded the best performers of the tournament after the final match.

Best Player of the tournament: William Troost-Ekong [Nigeria].
Golden Boat: Emilio Nsue Lopez [Equatorial Guinea].
Best Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams [South Africa]
Fair-Play Award: South Africa
Tournament Winner: Ivory Coast
Finalist: Nigeria
Third: South Africa
Fourth: Democratic Republic of Congo

Bafana Bafana are expected to arrive back in the country in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

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