Nigeria’s hopes ahead of the 2025 AFCON have suffered a crippling setback after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was effectively ruled out of the tournament, with his club manager confirming that the Chippa United star requires surgery on a long-standing hand injury.
Nwabali, who rose to national hero status following his standout performances during the previous AFCON campaign where Nigeria finished runners-up, has not featured since the Super Eagles’ dramatic World Cup qualifying playoff defeat to DR Congo in Rabat. What initially appeared to be a manageable setback has now escalated into a full-blown crisis for Nigeria, as concerns surrounding both his ankle and hand have deepened.
Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi delivered the most definitive update yet, admitting that the goalkeeper is unlikely to win his race against time. Speaking to supersport.com, Vilakazi expressed doubt that Nwabali would make the final squad, despite the player’s optimism.
He explained that Nwabali has been battling an ankle problem while also playing through a hand injury that has now worsened. “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,” Vilakazi revealed, adding that the medical reality simply does not support a quick return.
For head coach Eric Chelle, the news could not have come at a more difficult moment. Nigeria’s defensive structure has already been destabilised by a wave of injuries and withdrawals. Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu have been ruled out, while Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain major doubts.
Compounding matters, captain and defensive lynchpin William Troost-Ekong has retired, removing one of the squad’s most experienced organisers.
Nwabali’s absence now strips the Super Eagles of the calm, authoritative presence that had become central to their identity. At 29, with 27 caps and leadership qualities that belied his relatively late rise, he had cemented his place as the nation’s most trusted goalkeeper. Losing him so close to the tournament leaves Chelle scrambling for alternatives.
The coach named Nwabali in the initial provisional squad, but with the team set to open their AFCON campaign against Tanzania in Fes in a matter of days, the clock has run out. Nigeria will also face Tunisia and Uganda in what is shaping up to be a challenging group that demands defensive cohesion — something the Super Eagles now lack.