Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have suffered a major blow, as first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is now expected to miss the tournament due to injury, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles were already dealing with several withdrawals, fitness concerns and an unsettled defence, and Nwabali’s situation has added to the growing list of problems.
Nwabali, who became a national favourite after his outstanding performances at the last AFCON, where Nigeria finished as runners-up, has not featured since the Super Eagles’ dramatic penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in Rabat during the World Cup qualifying play-offs. Concerns over both his ankle and hand injuries intensified after his club coach at Chippa United issued worrying comments.
Chippa United coach casts doubt on Nwabali’s AFCON chances
Chippa United manager Vusimuzi Vilakazi appeared pessimistic about the goalkeeper’s prospects of recovering in time.
“I doubt he will be fit for the AFCON, looking at the condition of his injury,” Vilakazi told supersport.com.
He added: “I don’t think he will make it, although when I spoke to him, he was confident he would recover quickly. Of course, he wants to be at the Cup of Nations, but the reality is that he is still injured. I can only hope he manages to make it.”
Vilakazi explained that Nwabali is dealing with an ankle issue and a hand injury that now requires surgery. He revealed that the goalkeeper had been playing with the hand problem for some time and worsened it while in Morocco.
At 29, Nwabali has become Nigeria’s most dependable presence in goal, earning 27 caps and securing the No.1 shirt with composure, leadership and big-match consistency. His absence removes a key pillar of stability at a time when the squad is already undergoing major changes.
Super Eagles facing deepening squad problems
Although Nwabali was named in Nigeria’s provisional squad last week, head coach Eric Chelle has yet to finalise his 27-man list. With the opening Group C match against Tanzania in Fes only days away, the window for recovery is almost closed.
Nigeria will also face Tunisia and Uganda in a tough group requiring a cohesive and organised defence, something the team is currently struggling to assemble.
Chelle’s challenges extend well beyond the goalkeeping position. Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu have both been ruled out, while Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain major doubts.
To compound the situation, former captain and AFCON 2023 MVP William Troost-Ekong has retired after 83 caps. His departure removes a vital source of experience and leadership from the back line. With two centre-backs unavailable and the main goalkeeper injured, Chelle now faces the task of rebuilding the entire defensive structure under severe time pressure.
If Nwabali is indeed ruled out, Chelle has five alternatives to consider:
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Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
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Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
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Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece)
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Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus)
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Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
Okoye and Uzoho bring tournament experience but have struggled for reliability. Obasogie and Harcourt are untested at major competitions, while Adeleye remains an outside option.
Nigeria now face AFCON 2025 with more questions than answers, and the situation may worsen if Nwabali is officially ruled out.
