Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers have been thrown into uncertainty after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali suffered an injury while playing for his South African club, Chippa United.
The 29-year-old was stretchered off during the first half of Tuesday’s league match against Richards Bay after going down in visible pain. His condition is still being assessed, and the extent of the injury remains unclear.
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The timing of the incident is particularly concerning for the Super Eagles, who are set to face Rwanda and South Africa next month in two crucial qualifying matches. Nwabali, who has made 21 appearances for Nigeria, has become a key figure under coach Eric Chelle, providing stability and confidence in goal since his breakthrough at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria’s goalkeeping situation has now reached a critical stage, as Maduka Okoye remains unavailable due to a two-month suspension for illegal betting activities. This leaves the Super Eagles with limited options ahead of two must-win matches.
Among the possible replacements are Amas Obasogie, who currently plays in Tanzania but has never featured for the national team, and Adebayo Adeleye of Greek club Volos NPS, who has just one cap to his name.
Also included in the squad is 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, a rising talent who impressed at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
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However, the teenager is unlikely to be considered for such high-stakes fixtures, leaving Nigeria with a lack of experienced options between the posts.
The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in their qualifying group with seven points, six points behind group leaders South Africa. With only a few games remaining, victory in the upcoming fixtures is crucial for Nigeria’s chances of securing a place at the World Cup.
