There are doubts over Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s fitness for the African Nations Cup, which kicks off on December 21 in Morocco.. There is injury concern for Coach Eric Chelle’s first choice keeper.
Chippa United head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi who spoke today cast uncertainty over the fitness of Nwabali ahead of the 2026 AFCON kickoff. The Super Eagles numero has been sidelined with an ankle and hand injury, which has kept him out of action since Nigeria’s 2025 FIFA World Cup playoffs in Morocco.
Since then, Nwabali has missed Chippa United’s last three league fixtures and big games against Orlando Pirates, Siwelele FC, and Kaizer Chiefs. The coach is concerned that his recovery is slower than expected.
Vilakazi told SuperSport that the goalkeeper remains a major doubt for the continental tournament despite his personal optimism.
“I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury,” he said
“I don’t think he will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he will recover very soon, but obviously you will understand because he’s a player he wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals.
“But the reality is saying for now he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.”
The coach also said that Nwabali’s hand injury requires surgery, noting that the player had been managing the issue prior to aggravating it during national team duty.
“It’s an ankle injury, but then also the hand needs an operation because he’s been playing with that (injured) hand for a while now and he aggravated the injury while he was in Morocco.”
Extrasportnigeria 
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