By Ben Efe 8.12.2025
Super Eagles first choice keeper Stanley Nwabali is in a race to be fit for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), following lingering ankle and hand injury.
Chippa United coach, Vusimuzi Vilakazi revealed during an interview with SuperSport that Nwabali has been playing with pain and the matter got worst after the Super Eagles World Cup playoff last month in Morocco.
“I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury,” Vilakazi said.
“I don’t think he will make it to the AFCON, 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 he wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals.
“But the reality is saying for now he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.
“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.”
Nwabali was included in the 54-player provisional list released by Eric Chelle, Eagles’ head coach, for AFCON.
Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie are on standby for the number one role if Nwabali fails to make the team.
The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The Eagles are in Group C of the tournament alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.
Nwabali...feeling the pain.