Nwabali Set to Miss AFCON 2025 as Injury Crisis Deepens for Super Eagles

Nigeria’s build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has suffered a major blow, with first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali now unlikely to feature due to lingering injuries. The 29-year-old, who became a fan favourite after his standout performances at the last AFCON, has not played since Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Concerns over his fitness grew after Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi made worrying remarks about the goalkeeper’s condition. “I doubt it… looking at the state of his injury,” Vilakazi told supersport.com, adding that although Nwabali is confident of a quick recovery, “the reality is saying for now he is still injured.” He also revealed that the goalkeeper is dealing with both “an ankle injury” and a more serious problem with his hand, saying “the hand needs an operation… he aggravated the injury while he was in Morocco.”

Nwabali’s likely absence is a huge setback for head coach Eric Chelle, who is already battling a long list of injuries and squad withdrawals. Nigeria named the goalkeeper in a provisional squad, but with the opening match against Tanzania in Fes only days away, hopes of a late recovery look slim.

The Super Eagles’ defensive problems continue to pile up. Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu are already ruled out, while Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain doubtful. Captain William Troost-Ekong, MVP of the last AFCON, has retired after 83 caps, leaving the backline without its most experienced leader.

If Nwabali is unavailable, Chelle must choose from Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho, or youngster Ebenezer Harcourt—none of whom offer the same stability the injured goalkeeper provides.