Nigeria’s preparations for next month’s World Cup qualifiers have been hit hard after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali sustained an injury while playing for South African side Chippa United.
The 29-year-old was stretchered off during the first half of Tuesday’s league clash against Richards Bay, appearing to be in significant pain. The club’s medical team is still assessing the severity of the injury, but the timing is alarming for Nigeria.
Nwabali has been a key figure in coach Eric Chelle’s plans and is expected to play a central role in the crucial qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa. He has earned 21 caps for the Super Eagles and was instrumental in recent international fixtures.
The injury adds to Nigeria’s goalkeeping woes, with Maduka Okoye unavailable due to a two-month suspension for illegal betting activities.
Currently, the alternatives include Amas Obasogie, who plays in Tanzania but has never featured for the Super Eagles, and Adebayo Adeleye of Greek club Volos NPS, who has only one senior appearance. Another option, 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, recently impressed at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, but is unlikely to start in high-stakes games.
Nigeria sits fourth in its qualifying group with seven points, trailing leaders South Africa by six points. With two challenging fixtures ahead, the absence of Nwabali could significantly hurt the Super Eagles’ chances of closing the gap and staying in contention for a World Cup spot.
