Stanley Nwabali, the goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, has acknowledged lingering pain from the injury sustained during Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON round of 16 clash with Cameroon on Saturday, January 27.
Previously an unknown figure in the Super Eagles fold for the 2023 AFCON, Nwabali has swiftly risen to prominence due to his impressive performances in the tournament.
Anticipated to serve as a backup for Francis Uzoho, who was considered prone to errors, the 27-year-old Chippa United goalkeeper has managed to win over the hearts of the Super Eagles coaching staff and Nigerian fans in a short span. Throughout the 2023 AFCON, Nwabali has played in every Eagles’ match, securing three clean sheets and conceding only one goal.
Regrettably, Nwabali couldn’t complete the game against Cameroon on January 27 due to a knock from Georges-Kevin N’Koudou while attempting to intercept a cross into the eighteen-yard box. The knock kept him on the pitch for minutes, receiving treatment before being substituted by Francis Uzoho in the 80th minute.
Concerns about the severity of the injury and his availability for the quarter-final clash with Angola on February 2 have arisen among Nigerian football enthusiasts. According to Jose Peseiro, the goalkeeper, whose knee was tapped after the round of 16 clash, will undergo further scans to determine the extent of the injury.
During an interview with journalists at a mixed zone in Ivory Coast, Stanley Nwabali stated, “I’ll be fine, but I’m still feeling pain. For the next game, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll wait for the doctors, but I wish to come back.”