1996 Olympic gold medalist Joseph Dosu  has insisted that Stanley Nwabali is a quality goalkeeper, highlighting his composure and ability to make game-changing saves.

The jury is out on the Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, with some fans and pundits admiring his audacity while others question his judgment and call him reckless.

Super Eagles supporters have urged him to tone down his antics, yet compared to his Nigeria Premier Football League days when he would dribble from goal to midfield, his current style seems restrained. 

Nwabali's unpredictability have drawn comparisons to legendary mavericks René Higuita and Jorge Campos, both famous for their eccentricity.

Dosu highlighted that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle appreciates goalkeepers with bold, fearless styles, adding that outside opinions are irrelevant.

Speaking on ThePlayzone podcast, Dosu said: "The first time I saw his picture was with my elder brother, who was the goalkeeper coach of Go Round. He said, ‘This guy is tall and huge, and he’s a good goalkeeper for the future.’ He also said he brings his head down and that he would surely be in goal for the national team.

"The most important thing is, first of all, what did Super Eagles coach Eric say about him? He said he likes a goalkeeper who is crazy. Whatever we say is not important. He wants goalkeepers who talk to their defenders and opponents and put fear in them.

"So, in terms of his job, is he doing it right? Yes. Maybe he tries to overdo it at times, but he’s doing his job diligently as a goalkeeper — stopping goals when he’s supposed to. He’s not a bad goalkeeper."

Nwabali has kept eight clean sheets across two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, two fewer than Nigeria's record holder Vincent Enyeama. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel