Nwabali’s Cryptic Post Sparks Rift Rumours With Osimhen After Super Eagles Victory

According to Ireporter Online, Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has ignited widespread debate on social media following a cryptic post that many fans believe was subtly directed at his national teammate, Victor Osimhen.

The controversy comes just days after Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, where Osimhen stole the spotlight with a hat-trick that sealed the Super Eagles’ place in the playoffs. Despite the dominant performance, tensions within the team appeared to simmer beneath the surface.

Sources close to the camp noted that Nwabali, who has recently faced scrutiny for inconsistent performances, appeared visibly frustrated during the match. He was seen exchanging words with teammates Wilfred Ndidi and Calvin Bassey. In one tense moment, Nwabali was caught on camera shoving Ndidi after the midfielder tried to calm him following a confrontation with an opposing player. Another heated exchange reportedly occurred with Bassey as the team headed off at halftime.

Amidst mounting speculation, the Chippa United goalkeeper took to Instagram with a message that many interpreted as an indirect jab. His post read: “I never fake care anyone. What I give, I give from my heart. Choose a good heart. People change so fast… I believe you VO9.”

The mention of “VO9,” which matches Osimhen’s jersey number, further fueled rumours of an internal rift between the two Super Eagles stars.

Nwabali’s form has been under close watch since Nigeria’s narrow 2–1 win over Lesotho, where he faced criticism for his performance. Despite the public backlash, head coach Eric Chelle has continued to back the goalkeeper, choosing to retain him in the starting lineup for the Benin Republic clash.

As of press time, Nwabali has not provided any clarification regarding his cryptic post, while Osimhen has remained silent, leaving fans and pundits speculating about the true meaning behind the goalkeeper’s message and the state of harmony within the national team.