CAF Announces Finalists for 2024 African Goalkeeper of the Year, Excluding Nwabali

The exclusion of Nwabali from the 2024 African Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist has spurred intense debate.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the final shortlist of three nominees for the 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year award, omitting Super Eagles star Stanley Nwabali.

On Thursday evening, a social media post revealed that Andre Onana (Cameroon/"Manchester United"), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/"Mamelodi Sundowns"), and Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast/"Angers SCO") are shortlisted for the prestigious prize.

The winner will be unveiled during the CAF Awards gala on Monday, December 16.

While the nominees present impressive profiles, Nwabali's exclusion has stirred widespread debate, with fans and analysts questioning whether Cameroonian goalkeeper Onana deserved his spot over Nwabali.

The Lagos-born goalkeeper took to Twitter to express his surprise at being left out of the 2024 CAF Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist, posting what many saw as a subtle remark on the decision. Setting emotions aside, a deeper analysis of statistics might reveal whether Onana's inclusion was justified or an oversight by the CAF.

Andre Onana had a tumultuous season at "Manchester United". Over 51 appearances across all competitions, he conceded 83 goals, averaging over 1.6 goals per game. Despite 13 clean sheets, Onana faced significant criticism for his notable mistakes that often resulted in goals. His performance was a polarizing issue among fans and pundits, as he struggled to adapt to the pressure of playing for a significant European club.

Internationally, Onana's form offered little to deserve the award. In three World Cup qualifying games, he managed just one clean sheet. At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), his contribution was limited to one group stage game, a 3-1 loss to Senegal. His overall impact on Cameroon's campaign was minimal, as they exited the tournament following a defeat to Nigeria in the Round of 16.

In stark contrast, Stanley Nwabali had a remarkable year, shining both domestically and internationally. The Nigerian goalkeeper played 29 games for "Chippa United" in South Africa's DSTV Premiership, where he allowed 27 goals and kept an impressive 12 clean sheets. His consistent performances were vital in helping "Chippa United" finish 12th in the 16-team league, often single-handedly keeping his team competitive in tough matches.

Beyond league play, Nwabali's impact extended further in the "Nedbank Cup", South Africa's premier knockout competition, where he played three matches and secured one clean sheet. On the international stage, his performances for "Nigeria" were even more compelling. The 28-year-old was pivotal in the "Super Eagles'" run to the final of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast. Starting all seven of Nigeria's matches, Nwabali allowed just three goals from open play. He also recorded four clean sheets, demonstrating his ability to organize the defense and execute crucial saves.

One of Nwabali's standout performances came in the semi-final against "South Africa", where he saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout, securing "Nigeria's" place in the final. Despite the team falling short against "Ivory Coast" in the final, Nwabali's performances throughout the tournament solidified his status as one of Africa's top goalkeepers.

The debate around the shortlist underscores the subjective nature of individual awards. While Onana's reputation as a "Manchester United" player might have influenced the decision, Nwabali's on-field performances speak volumes about his quality.