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Stanley Nwabali Down with Injury, Doubtful for AFCON 2025
Stanley Nwabali (on the turf) being attended to by Super Eagles medics during one of the World Cup qualifiers. Now, he’s doubtful for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco
Duro Ikhazuagbe
The injury woes afflicting Nigerian internationals ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) may prevent Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, from making a second appearance at the tournament in Morocco.
Yesterday, Nwabali’s Chippa United club coach in the South African PSL, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, confirmed that the Rivers-born goalkeeper was battling a major injury in his ankle and hand that may prevent him from the AFCON.
Vilakazi began: “It’s an ankle injury, but then also the hand needs an operation because he’s been playing with that (injured) hand for a while now and he aggravated the injury while he was in Morocco (World Cup Playoffs).”
He doubt if the goalkeeper can be fit before the AFCON.
“I don’t think he (Nwabali) will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he will recover very soon, but obviously you will understand because he’s a player, he wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals.”
The Chippa United coach emphasised that the reality of the situation at the moment is that Nwabali is injured and doubtful. “But the reality is saying for now he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.”
The 29-year-old Nwabali was first choice for Nigeria as Super Eagles reached the final of the last edition, beaten 2-1 by hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the deciding game. He has remained Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper since, amassing a total of 27 caps.
But he has not played since Super Eagles were beaten by the Democratic Republic of Congo last month in shootouts for the African ticket to the Intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March.
With the Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, under pressure to name his final 28-man squad ahead CAF’s deadline fixed for Thursday, December 11, the first choice role for the goalkeeping position is most likely to revert to Udinese’s Maduka Okoye.
Already, Super Eagles backline has suffered the absence of top defenders who are down with injuries copped during the botched World Cup qualifiers and playoffs. Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu are key players to be missed. The retirement of William Troost-Ekong from international duty for Nigeria last Thursday has further compounded the situation.
The Super Eagles will open their Group C against Tanzania in Fes on 23 December. Eagles will also tackle Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (Saturday, 27 December) and round up the Group C with the clash with Cranes of Uganda (Tuesday, 30 December).
