Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been confirmed eligible to feature in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against hosts Morocco, despite earlier claims suggesting otherwise.
The clash with the Atlas Lions takes place today at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 8.00 pm. Reports had circulated on Monday that Nwabali would miss the game after supposedly picking up two yellow cards during the tournament. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has firmly denied those claims.
Speaking to The Guardian, Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe clarified the situation:
“Nwabali has only one yellow card from the knockout stage. He is not suspended because cards picked up in the group phase do not carry over into the knockout rounds. He is fully available and ready to defend Nigeria’s colours.”
While Nwabali is cleared to play, team captain Wilfred Ndidi will miss the semi-final after receiving two yellow cards during the knockout phase. His place in midfield is expected to be taken by Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika.
Ahead of the encounter, the NFF has also played down fears of biased officiating in favour of the host nation. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau expressed full confidence in the integrity of the match officials.
“I don’t share the fears some people have about the officials,” Gusau said. “Football is played on a level pitch, and I believe the referees will do their job fairly. When we played Morocco in the final of the Women’s AFCON last year, we came from two goals down to win. There is nothing to fear.
“This is the highest level of African football. The officials know that CAF and the whole world are watching, and they will not do anything improper.”
Gusau’s comments come amid concerns among some Nigerian fans that officiating could subtly favour Morocco, who are chasing a second AFCON title, 50 years after winning their first.
Inside the Super Eagles camp, confidence remains high. The players have kept strictly to their routine at Hotel Rihab and at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed VI training facility, maintaining focus and discipline.
Meanwhile, reports from the Moroccan camp suggest there is particular concern about the influence of Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi. The Fulham star has been outstanding, recording 22 line-breaking passes in Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Mozambique and 14 more in the quarter-final victory over Algeria. Nigeria won both matches without conceding.
Iwobi also provided the assists for Nigeria’s first two goals of the tournament in their 2–1 win over Tanzania on December 23. Tonight’s match will mark his 96th appearance for the Super Eagles, as Nigeria aim to end the hosts’ dream of lifting the trophy on home soil.
