AFCON blow for Nigeria as goalkeeper Nwabali likely ruled out through injury

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have suffered a major setback, with first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali now increasingly unlikely to feature at the tournament due to injury, NigeriaFootball understands.

The development represents one of the most disruptive blows yet to a Super Eagles squad already hit by withdrawals, fitness concerns, and defensive instability ahead of the competition in Morocco.

Nwabali, who emerged as one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the last AFCON—where the Super Eagles finished runners-up—has not played since the World Cup playoff defeat to DR Congo in Rabat. Concerns around his ankle and hand injuries intensified after stark remarks from his club manager at Chippa United.

Speaking to supersport.com, Chippa United head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi cast strong doubt on the 29-year-old’s chances of recovering in time.

“I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury,” Vilakazi said. “He was confident he will recover soon, but the reality is that he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.”

Vilakazi further revealed that Nwabali is nursing an ankle issue along with a hand injury that requires surgery, aggravated during Nigeria’s failed World Cup qualifying playoff in Morocco.

Nwabali has earned 27 caps and established himself as Nigeria’s most reliable presence in goal, his calmness and big-match temperament making him a cornerstone of the team. His expected absence now removes vital stability from a squad already grappling with significant disruption.

Despite being named in Nigeria’s provisional squad, Nwabali’s growing injury concerns come at a time when head coach Eric Chelle is racing against the clock to finalise his 27-man list. The Super Eagles open their AFCON campaign against Tanzania in Fes in just a few days, before facing Tunisia and Uganda in Group C.

Defensive concerns continue to mount. Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu have been ruled out, while Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain major doubts. Nigeria is also without long-serving captain William Troost-Ekong, who retired after 83 caps. His exit has stripped the squad of leadership and experience at a moment of unprecedented transition.

If Nwabali fails to recover, Chelle will have to choose from five alternatives:

• Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)

• Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus)

• Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)

• Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece)

• Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)

Okoye and Uzoho have AFCON experience but have struggled for consistency, while Obasogie and Harcourt are yet to feature at a major tournament. Adeleye remains a long-shot option.

With his first-choice goalkeeper sidelined and his defensive line in flux, Chelle faces the daunting task of rebuilding Nigeria’s rearguard under severe time pressure as AFCON 2025 approaches.