Chippa United Coach Casts Doubt on Nwabali’s AFCON Availability Despite Keeper’s Optimism

Chippa United Coach Casts Doubt on Nwabali’s AFCON Availability Despite Keeper’s Optimism

By Admin 

Chippa United head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has expressed serious doubts over the fitness of Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, despite the player’s insistence that he will recover in time, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In an interview with SuperSport, Vilakazi revealed that Nwabali is dealing with more complex injury concerns than initially believed. The 28-year-old is currently nursing an ankle injury sustained during Nigeria’s recent international fixtures, as well as a longstanding hand problem that now requires surgical intervention.

According to Vilakazi, the hand issue had been manageable for months, but was aggravated during the Super Eagles’ recent matches in Morocco. The combination of both injuries, he said, significantly reduces the likelihood of Nwabali being fit for the tournament.

“When I was talking to Nwabali, he was confident that he will recover very soon,” Vilakazi said. “But looking at the medical situation, I don’t think he will make it to the AFCON.”

The Chippa manager added that while the ankle injury alone would have required a moderate recovery timeline, the additional need for hand surgery places the goalkeeper in a “tight corner” regarding rehabilitation.

Nwabali has been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper well before the appointment of current head coach Éric Chelle, and his potential absence poses a major setback for the Super Eagles’ title ambitions in Morocco.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to release an official update on Nwabali’s condition, but growing concern among fans and analysts underscores the importance of his recovery in the coming weeks.