AFCON 2025: Super Eagles face goalkeeping uncertainty as Nwabali battles injury

Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, is currently trying to recover from ankle and hand injuries before the Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco later this month.

His condition has created worries about whether he will be fit enough to play in Nigeria’s first games.

Chippa United coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi said he is not sure Nwabali will be ready because the goalkeeper has not returned to full training since Nigeria lost to DR Congo in last month’s World Cup qualifying playoff in Rabat.

“I doubt it, looking at how he is right now,” Vilakazi said. “I don’t think he will make it, but he believes he will recover soon. He really wants to be at the AFCON, but the truth is he is still injured. I hope he recovers quickly.”

The coach also said that apart from the ankle injury, Nwabali has a hand problem that may require surgery. He has been playing with the injury for some time and made it worse during the match in Morocco.

Nwabali has been Nigeria’s main goalkeeper since the last AFCON, where the Super Eagles finished second after losing 2–1 to Ivory Coast in the final.

He has played 27 matches for Nigeria and was named in the provisional squad for AFCON 2025, although the final team has not yet been announced.

Nigeria is in Group C and will play Tanzania first, on December 23, in the city of Fes.