Nigeria’s plans for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers may be in trouble after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali got injured.
Nwabali, 29, plays for Chippa United in South Africa and has been Nigeria’s top goalkeeper since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He had to leave the pitch after just 35 minutes during a league match on Tuesday night against Richards Bay. He was taken off on a stretcher, raising fears he might miss Nigeria’s important matches in September.
The Super Eagles are struggling in their World Cup qualifying group. They are fourth in Group C with only two points from three games. South Africa lead the group with eight points, while Benin and Rwanda both have three.
Nigeria will play Rwanda in Uyo on 3 September and then travel to South Africa to play them on 6 September. These games are crucial for Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Eric Chelle recently named a 48-man squad for these games and will later pick 23 players. Nwabali was expected to be a key part of the team, but his injury could now rule him out.
If Nwabali cannot play, Chelle may have to choose from less experienced options like Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye, or young goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt. None of them have the same experience or calmness as Nwabali, who has played 13 times for Nigeria.
Nwabali was important in Nigeria’s run to the 2023 AFCON final and also helped them win the Unity Cup in May. The team is now waiting for medical updates from Chippa United, hoping the injury is not too serious.