JUST IN: Injury woes threaten Stanley Nwabali’s Africa cup of nations participation

Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali faces uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations as he battles ankle and hand injuries, his club coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi has revealed, Sport360NG reports.

The 29-year-old shot-stopper, a mainstay for Nigeria since helping the Super Eagles reach the final of the last edition, where they lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast, has earned 27 caps for his country. However, he has not featured since Nigeria’s defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in their World Cup qualifying playoff in Rabat last month.

Vilakazi expressed doubts about Nwabali’s ability to return in time for the tournament. “I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury,” he told SuperSport.com. “I don’t think he will make it. When I spoke to him, he was confident about recovering soon, but obviously, he wants to be at the Cup of Nations finals. The reality is, for now, he is still injured. I hope for the best that he might find himself there.”

The Chippa United coach provided further details on Nwabali’s condition: “It’s an ankle injury, but his hand also needs an operation. He’s been playing with that hand injury for a while and aggravated it while in Morocco.”

Nwabali was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad announced last week, but the Super Eagles have yet to name their final 27-man roster. CAF requires all final squad lists to be submitted by December 11.

The goalkeeper’s injury adds to head coach Eric Chelle’s growing concerns, with defender Benjamin Fredrick ruled out due to a knee problem and captain William Troost-Ekong recently announcing his international retirement. Fellow defenders Felix Agu and Ola Aina are also doubtful, though there remains optimism they will be fit for the tournament.

Nigeria opens its Group C campaign against Tanzania in Fes on December 23 before facing Tunisia and Uganda in subsequent matches.