KEY POINTS
- Stanley Nwabali Nigeria injury clouds key qualifiers.
- Okoye’s suspension leaves depth worryingly thin.
- Stanley Nwabali Nigeria injury raises group-stage risk.
An injury to first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has disrupted Nigeria’s build-up to next month’s World Cup qualifiers and raised doubts about the Super Eagles’ chances of escaping a tough qualifying group.
Chippa United’s 29-year-old goalkeeper collapsed in the first half against Richards Bay on Tuesday and grimaced in pain as medics stretchered him off the pitch. Club medics are still evaluating the extent of the injury.
A major setback
Nwabali’s absence would be a major blow for Nigeria, who face must-win games against Rwanda and South Africa. The Super Eagles sit fourth in their qualifying group with seven points, six behind leaders South Africa, and cannot afford further slip-ups.
A regular since breaking into the squad, Nwabali has won 21 caps and established himself as coach Eric Chelle’s most reliable option between the posts.
Goalkeeping crisis deepens
Nigeria’s goalkeeping depth is also already under strain. Maduka Okoye, the former Udinese shot-stopper, is unavailable after receiving a two-month suspension for betting violations.
That leaves largely untested options. Amas Obasogie, who plays in Tanzania, has yet to make his senior international debut. Adebayo Adeleye of Greek side Volos NPS has just one appearance.
Also in camp is 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, a surprise call-up who impressed at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. But the teenager is considered too inexperienced to start in high-pressure fixtures.
Critical weeks ahead
Nigeria’s path to the World Cup has already been complicated by inconsistent results, and the potential absence of Nwabali adds fresh uncertainty. Furthermore with fixtures looming against direct rivals Rwanda and South Africa, the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping headache could play a decisive role in their qualification hopes.
