Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali may miss the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as he continues to struggle with ankle and hand injuries.
Chippa United head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi confirmed that the Rivers-born shot-stopper is dealing with a serious ankle problem, while his hand—an injury he has been managing for months—now requires surgery. He added that the injury worsened during Nigeria’s World Cup playoff in Morocco.
“It’s an ankle injury, but the hand also needs an operation because he’s been playing with that injured hand for a while, and he aggravated it while he was in Morocco,” Vilakazi said.
The coach expressed doubt over Nwabali’s ability to recover in time for the AFCON.
“I don’t think he will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident he will recover very soon. You know how players are—they want to be there at the Cup of Nations.”
Vilakazi stressed that, despite optimism, the reality is that Nwabali remains injured and uncertain for the tournament. “I also hope for the best that he might find himself there,” he added.
Nwabali has not played since Nigeria’s defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in last month’s World Cup qualifying playoff in Rabat. Although he was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad last week, the final 27-man list is yet to be confirmed.
The setback adds to Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle’s growing injury concerns. Defender Benjamin Fredrick has been ruled out with a knee injury, while captain William Troost-Ekong announced his international retirement last Thursday.
