Nwabali in Doubt! Injury Clouds Super Eagles’ AFCON Preparations

Nwabali in Doubt! Injury Clouds Super Eagles’ AFCON Preparations

By Our Reporter 

Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, is facing a race against time to be fit for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations amid concerns over ankle and hand injuries, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Multiple reports indicate that the 29-year-old aggravated the injuries during last month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs and has been sidelined ever since. Nwabali has not featured for his club, Chippa United, since returning from the playoff fixtures.

Chippa United head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi expressed uncertainty over the goalkeeper’s availability for the tournament in Morocco.

“I don’t think he will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he will recover very soon,” Vilakazi told SuperSport, suggesting optimism from the player but caution from the technical team.

Nwabali’s absence would be a major blow for Nigeria, as the former Enyimba and Katsina United goalkeeper was one of the standout performers at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where he cemented his place as the Super Eagles’ No. 1.

With the tournament fast approaching, his recovery timeline remains a critical concern for both club and country.