Former Nigerian international Sam Sodje has warned Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to keep a close eye on Stanley Nwabali ahead of the crucial FIFA World Cup playoffs.

The former Brentford centre back has urged the Malian tactician to explore other goalkeeping options as he believes the Chippa United goalkeeper is becoming overly confident and too comfortable as Nigeria's first choice goalkeeper.

Speaking on Brila FM’s ‘No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze’, Sodje urged the 29-year-old to check his attitude and behaviour.

“What I am saying is not personal because we are having a cheerful conversation.

“I do not know him, but I will tell you something about international football which I feel you know. You cannot afford to have a player that will make your plan have issues.

“When you have players like Stanley, the way he plays, talks and carries himself, there is a difference between being confident and having a bad attitude.

“He acts like someone that cannot handle fame and success. He has to calm down.

“I have seen that in his attitude from day one. As a player I would do anything to win a game, but it gets to a point where you must be very disciplined. If the coach feels like Stanley will cost us the game, you better make the change now before it is too late.

“He has been giving us signs that he will do something stupid soon. This is where a psychologist comes in.

Nigeria will face Gabon in the semifinals of the playoffs on November 13 in Morocco.

The winner of that clash will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final of the playoffs four days later.

WDN