Success, they say, has many friends and Stanley Nwabali can now testify to this axiom after the night of the Semi-final game between Nigeria and South Africa.
In fact, it is one clash that many football lovers will remember for a long time.
Nwabali was the hero of the night between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana.
He had, by his gloves, caught Nigeria up into the finals of the AFCON 2024.
The Nigeria goalkeeper took the shine out of the hands of Ronwen Hayden Williams, the goalkeeper of Bafana Bafana.
The South African had hopes that on penalty grounds, they would coast home, but something was waiting to shock them – Nwabali.
He had started the night not being able to save the penalty kick from South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena that wiped off Nigeria’s lead.
Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong had slotted the ball home in an earlier penalty kick after Osimhen was brought down in the box, giving Nigeria a desired lead.
But with South Africa levelling up, the penalty kick was all they cast their hope on.
Unfortunately, Nwabali took the day, leaving them shocked.
Exponential Instagram Followership Growth
Everyone who has presence on any social network, knows how interesting it often is to see an exponential social network followers’ growth.
However, to see followership grow with speed overnight is something many may never experience.
But Nwabali, Nigeria’s hero, is in that category of persons that could see that happen in their lifetime.
Vincent Enyeama Speaks
Everyone appears to be rushing to his Instagram to follow him and pour in congratulatory messages and praises.
In fact, one wrote: We asked you for hand, you give us mouth. Baba over do ❤️*.
Among those that congratulated Nwabali was Nigeria’s former goalie, Vincent Enyeama. He wrote: “Congratulations my dear.You are my man of the match.i am so so so proud of you.you have done e so so well”.
While we watch and observe, his Instagram followership grew from 49k followers to 199k and then to over 270k followers.
Infact, at some point, his followership grew with over 2k followers ever 20 minutes.
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The goalkeeper had stopped two shots, giving Nigeria edge twice in the game that entered a penalty shoot-out after the extra time.
Indeed, the surprise he would wake up to is a new followership on Instagram.
The reward of hard work often does not end in one night but lasts for a long time and Nwabali is a living proof.
In coming days, Instagram will surely verify his handle and establish the authenticity of the young man that had made Nigeria proud in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Indeed, we all asked for his hands in gloves, but he gave us a mouth.