BY SAB OSUJI

Stanley Nwabali, Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper has has spoken of his optimism going into Friday's crucial FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa's Bafana Bafana, with a bold declaration that neither himself nor the entire squad is under any form of pressure going into the gritty contest, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Nwabali spoke against the team's preparation under Head Coach and ex-Nigeria International, Finidi George, who would be making his competitive debut incharge against the South African senior national team inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, otherwise nicknamed 'Nest of Champions'.

Bafana Bafana are sitting top of the group standings and had ran out 2-0 winners the last time they visited in an AFCON qualifier.

"There's no pressure in the camp, no pressure atall", starts the 2023 AFCON silver medalist with the Super Eagles.

"We just gonna take it one (game) at a time. We're trying to get ourselves together because we're trying to win this game and move on to our next game against Republic of Benin in Ivory Coast.

"But talking about putting us  under pressure, no; because definitely this is another game we gonna play to win if we must qualify for the World Cup.

"I don't think there's any much pressure in the camp because, as you can see, the players are all training hard".

The stand-out goalkeeper for the Super Eagles during the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire last January would also go on to hint that the return of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is not putting him under pressure.

He reckons that instead, Okoye's return to the senior National Team is a plus to the team.

"On my personal self, no, I'm not under any form of pressure. Okoye is also a very good goalkeeper to be honest and besides, he's also my brother despite May be this is my first time of working with him.

"It's something that's going to motivate everyone, including us, the goalkeepers because if you have a team where all the goalkeepers are good, then, you don't have any problem at all".

Nwabali classifies Friday's clash against South Africa as a 'great game'.

"It's going to be a great game", the former Rivers United shot-stopper responds when prodded on the likely intensity of Friday's World Cup qualifier against group leaders.

"I won't say its going to be a 'tough game', no, because I'm this kind of guy that I really want to play in front of these fans.

"Playing a home game like this in front of great fans will give me enough energy to do very well in the game as well as the next one".