Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have taken a significant hit after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was ruled out of contention due to injury.
The setback compounds the challenges facing the Super Eagles, who are already grappling with fitness concerns and a rapidly evolving defensive lineup.
Nwabali, 29, was one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the last AFCON, playing a pivotal role in guiding the team to the final with his composed and assured presence between the posts.
However, he has not featured since Nigeria’s dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo during the World Cup qualifying playoffs in Rabat.
Concerns over his fitness have grown following comments from his club coach at Chippa United, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, who suggested that Nwabali may miss the tournament entirely.
Vilakazi revealed, “I don’t think he will make it. When I spoke with him, he was confident about recovering soon, but the reality is that he is still injured. He’s a player who truly wants to be at the Cup of Nations, so I hope he finds a way to be there.”
The goalkeeper is reportedly struggling with multiple injuries. Vilakazi explained that Nwabali is dealing with an ankle injury and also requires surgery on his hand, which he aggravated while playing in Morocco.
Despite naming Nwabali in a provisional squad, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has yet to finalize his 27-man roster.
The Super Eagles will open their Group C campaign against Tanzania in Fes, followed by matches against Tunisia and Uganda—making for a competitive group stage.
The defensive lineup has already suffered major setbacks. Young defenders Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu are sidelined, while Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain doubts.
Captain William Troost-Ekong, the MVP of the previous AFCON, has retired after 83 caps, leaving a gap in leadership at the heart of the defense.
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If Nwabali is unable to recover in time, Chelle has five alternatives for the goalkeeping position: Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho, and teenage prospect Ebenezer Harcourt. Okoye and Uzoho bring international experience but have struggled for consistency, while Obasogie, Adeleye, and Harcourt are yet to feature in a major tournament, leaving Nigeria with difficult decisions ahead of the kickoff.
