Nwabali’s AFCON Hopes In Doubt Due To Injury

Chippa United manager Vusimuzi Vilakazi has expressed significant doubts over goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s availability for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco. Nwabali is currently struggling with both an ankle and a hand injury.

The 29-year-old has been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since his impressive performances at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles were runners-up. However, he hasn’t featured since Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying play-off defeat to DR Congo last month in Rabat.

Vilakazi told supersport.com: “I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury. 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 who wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals.”

He added: “But the reality is saying for now he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.”

Vilakazi further explained the extent of the injuries: “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.”

Despite these concerns, Nwabali was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad announced last week. The Super Eagles are yet to finalise their 27-man selection for the tournament. Nigeria are in Group C and will face Tanzania in their opening match in Fes on 23rd December.