Nigeria’s hopes for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers have suffered a major setback after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali sustained an injury while featuring for his South African club, Chippa United.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper was stretchered off in the first half of Tuesday’s league clash against Richards Bay, grimacing in pain after going down awkwardly. The extent of the injury has not yet been confirmed, with Chippa’s medical team still carrying out assessments.
The timing raises concern for the Super Eagles, as Nwabali is expected to play a decisive role in next month’s fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa. The goalkeeper has been pivotal for Nigeria, making 21 appearances and establishing himself as a reliable figure in coach Eric Chelle’s setup.
His injury compounds Nigeria’s goalkeeping worries. Regular backup Maduka Okoye remains unavailable due to a two-month suspension over betting violations, leaving the Super Eagles short of experienced options.
Currently, Amas Obasogie, who plies his trade in Tanzania, has never made a senior appearance, while Adebayo Adeleye of Greek side Volos NPS has just one cap. Also included in the squad is 15-year-old prodigy Ebenezer Harcourt, who shone at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations but is not expected to start in such crucial fixtures.
Nigeria sits fourth in its qualifying group with seven points, trailing leaders South Africa by six. With back-to-back high-stakes games looming, Nwabali’s absence could prove costly in the Super Eagles’ bid to close the gap.
