Nigeria’s preparations for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers may have suffered a major challenge as the Super Eagles number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, suffers an injury.
The Chippa United goalie was forced off injured on Tuesday night during a South African league game against Richards Bay.
The 29 years old Nigerian was carried off in the 33rd minute. Nigeria’s Super Eagles have crucial World Cup qualifying matches in September against Rwanda, South Africa and Republic of Benin.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are hanging desperately at the fourth position in Group C; six points adrift of leaders South Africa and one behind both Benin and Rwanda.
Nigeria will face Rwanda in Uyo on 3 September before travelling to Bloemfontein three days later to take on South Africa in a fixture that could define Nigeria’s chances of making it to the tournament in North America.
Eric Chelle named a 48-man provisional squad this week, from which he will select 23 players for the double-header. Nwabali’s inclusion was considered a certainty, given his consistency and composure since breaking into the team last year. However, Tuesday’s injury now casts doubt over his participation.
If the Chippa United man is ruled out, Chelle will be forced to look elsewhere. The alternatives include former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, one-time Hapoel Jerusalem shot-stopper Adebayo Adeleye, and teenage prospect Ebenezer Harcourt.
None, however, possesses the experience or reliability of Nwabali, whose presence has been vital for Nigeria since his emergence.
The Super Eagles will now anxiously await updates from Chippa United’s medical staff in the hope that the injury proves less serious than feared.
Nwabali, who has 13 caps for Nigeria, helped the Super Eagles reach the final of the 2023 AFCON and lifted the Unity Cup in May.
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