Stanley Nwabali has joined his Super Eagles teammates in Ikot Ikpene ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Nwabali’s arrival was confirmed by the Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe.
The number of players currently in camp has now risen to 21 with captain Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze still expected.
Nwabali is back in the national team setup after a long spell on the sidelines that cost him his place.
Head Coach Éric Chelle recalled the 30-year-old for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Nwabali last featured for the Super Eagles in January at the 2025 AFCON before falling out of contention. The shot-stopper terminated his contract with South African side Chippa United in February to pursue a move abroad, but a transfer failed to materialise.
The move left him clubless for nearly six months, a period that saw him miss Nigeria’s friendlies against Iran and Jordan and the Unity Cup in London, with Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo taking his place.
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The former Enyimba and Katsina United keeper has since returned to Chippa United for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, and has already featured in three league games to regain match sharpness.
His return to competitive action has now been rewarded with a recall. Chelle named him in a 24-man list alongside captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen.
Nwabali will compete with Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Charlton Athletic’s Arthur Okonkwo for the No.1 jersey.
The goalkeeper rose to prominence with his outstanding displays at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria finished as runners-up. His composure, commanding presence and penalty-saving heroics made him a fan favourite and established him as the country’s undisputed number one.
Now, with regular football back in the Eastern Cape, Nwabali has a fresh chance to revive both his club and international career as the Super Eagles begin their Group L campaign at home to Madagascar on September 25 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, before facing Guinea-Bissau four days later.
The 21 players currently in Super Eagles camp:
Simon Moses
Akor Adams
Taiwo awoniyu
Isaac James
Emmanuel Fernandez
Benjamin Fredericks
Moses uzor
George Ilenikhena
Arthur Okonkwo
Alex Iwobi
Semi Ajayi
Calvin Bassey
Ola Aina
Ademola Lookman
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Chibuike Nwaiwu
Tolu Arokodare
Bruno Onyemaechi
Raphael Onyedika
Frank Onyeka
Stanley Nwabali
