Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali could miss the Africa Cup of Nations as he struggles with ankle and hand injuries, according to his club coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi.
The 29-year-old Nwabali was first choice for Nigeria as they reached the final of the last edition, losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast, and has been the Super Eagles’ regular goalkeeper since, amassing 27 caps.
He has not played since Nigeria were beaten by the Democratic Republic of Congo on post-match penalties in their World Cup qualifying playoff in Rabat last month.
Vilakazi expressed doubt about the goalkeeper’s chances of making a quick return.
‘I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury’, he told supersport.com.
‘I don’t think he will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he would 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’.
The Chippa United coach revealed the extent of Nwabali’s injuries, saying, ‘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’.
Nigeria named Nwabali in a provisional squad announced last week, but are yet to make their final 27-man selection for the tournament.
CAF has set a deadline of 11 December for all participating countries to submit their final lists.
The setback adds to Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle’s mounting injury concerns. Defender Benjamin Fredrick has been ruled out with a knee injury, while captain William Troost-Ekong announced his international retirement on Thursday.
Defenders Felix Agu and Ola Aina are also doubtful for the tournament, though there is optimism they will recover in time after their inclusion in the preliminary squad.
The Super Eagles compete in Group C, where they take on Tanzania in their opening game in Fes on 23 December before other games against Tunisia and Uganda.
