Nigeria’s preparations for next month’s World Cup qualifiers have suffered a major setback after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali sustained an injury while in action for his club side, Chippa United.
The 29-year-old was stretchered off in the first half of Tuesday’s South African Premier Division clash against Richards Bay, grimacing in pain after collapsing to the turf.
Chippa United’s medical staff are still assessing the extent of the damage, leaving both club and country anxiously awaiting updates.
Nwabali’s setback comes at a particularly difficult moment for the Super Eagles, who are already facing a goalkeeper crisis.
Maduka Okoye, once tipped as the long-term successor between the posts, is serving a two-month suspension for illegal betting.
That leaves coach Eric Chelle with limited choices; Amas Obasogie, currently based in Tanzania, is uncapped at international level, while Adebayo Adeleye of Greek outfit Volos NPS has only one senior Nigeria appearance to his name.
Another option is 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, who earned a surprise first call-up for Super Eagles B against Congo at the CHAN 2024 after impressing at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, though he is unlikely to be thrust into high-pressure qualifiers.
Nigeria currently sits fourth in its qualifying group with seven points, six adrift of leaders South Africa.
With crunch fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa looming, the possible absence of Nwabali—who has been a consistent and calming presence with 21 caps—could prove costly to the Super Eagles’ bid to revive their qualification hopes.