Stanley Nwabali could now miss Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Amavubi of Rwanda and Bafana Bafana of South Africa due to injury, reports Completesports.com.
Nwabali was taken off in a stretcher in the 35th minute of Chippa United’s South African Premier Soccer League clash with Richards Bay on Tuesday night.
The former Enyimba shot stopper now faces a race against time to be fit for the crucial games.
The 29-year-old was named in Nigeria’s 31-man provisional squad for the crucial qualifiers by head coach Eric Chelle last week.
Read Also:2026 WCQ: Ikpeba Backs Super Eagles To Beat Rwanda, South Africa
Nwabali has been Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where the Super Eagles finished in second position.
Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie, and Ebenezer Harcourt are the other goalkeepers named in the squad for the games with Rwanda, and South Africa.
The Super Eagles will begin preparations for the qualifiers next week in Uyo.
The West Africans will host the Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 6 September.
The West Africans will be away to the Bafana Bafana four days later.
By Adeboye Amosu
9 Comments
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SA don dey do off-field tactics o. How often do you hear of goalkeepers getting injured? Cos how much contact do goalkeepers have with players? Comparatively less, except in corner kick or one-on-one situations.
I suspect SAFA detailed the opponents yesterday to get him injured, knowing that our other experienced goalkeeper, Okoye, is suspended.
Shey nah the inexperienced Obasogie go keep goalpost in 2 high stake WCQ qualifiers? Abi, the equally good but inexperienced Harcourt? Adeleye would have been an easier choice, but his height is not so good for a goalkeeper, so corner kicks will be a problem.
This is true. Heaven bless you abundantly for this honest comment.
He will recover before the qualifiers in the Mighty name of Jesus Amen
This SAFA scheme should have been detected by the inept NFA a long time. ago. Shameful!
Naija. is off.
Speedy recovery to Nwabali despite the perceived antics by SAFA. Amas Obasogie a former player of Bendel Insurance but now in a Tanzanian club can do a good job in the absence of Stanley.
As for Ebenezer Harcourt judging by his performance against Congo me as a coach will always invite him to garner experience, and should he perform greatly in camp than other goalkeepers I won’t hesitate to play him. I believe in excellence over age. The African mentality of despising exceptional Youth must be aborted if we must discover the a Lamine Yamal kind of talent or Leo Messi kinda talents who were given lookin as teenagers before they exploded.
Heaven bless you Brother Chima. Your points might occasionally be controversial but you are welcome to them.
The constant abuse and harangue you get on this platform from Yabaoh aka Four Four two is uncalled for. He also goes by Ibitoye Bednarok (not Bednarek) and Arara Kumbie, monikers he stole from me, joy the stole from himself.
I wish my lovely Nwabali a speedy recovery.
Why our players are getting injured close to the World Cup qualifiers is very concerning kę.
Eric Chelle should try new goalies before the Afcon. We need at least three reliable goalkeepers.
Let’s see how it goes. I believe Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup if the gaffer selects the right and informed players for the two encounters.
We must not underestimate Rwanda. I believe the South Africa match will be less pressure, but the Rwanda match may not be easy, and our coaching crew and players must be ready for whatever Rwanda and South Africa throw at them.
I can’t wait to see my pikin Nwabali back on his feet again. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Nwabali will recover in time.