Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations campaign has been rocked by a major fitness scare after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali revealed he has been battling injuries throughout the tournament in Morocco.
Nwabali's Candid Admission on Fitness Struggles
Stanley Nwabali has openly admitted that physical problems affected him both before and during the AFCON 2025 competition. The 28-year-old shot-stopper confirmed the long-speculated issues in an interview with Ademola Victor TV, praising the Super Eagles medical team for keeping him on the pitch.
"I was injured but with the help of team doctors and physios I'm able to stand on the pitch and play," Nwabali stated. He added, "It's quite tough for me because it's not something you come out to say. But most times whatever thing we see online is true."
Performance Dip and Growing Criticism
Concerns over Nwabali's condition first emerged before the tournament when his coach at South African club Chippa United disclosed the goalkeeper was managing multiple injuries. Despite this, he was named in Nigeria's final squad and played in the pre-tournament friendly against Egypt.
While he impressed in Nigeria's opener against Tanzania, his performance unraveled in the dramatic clash against Tunisia. According to reports, Nwabali conceded two goals from the only two shots on target he faced. A costly slip contributed directly to Tunisia's first goal, drawing sharp criticism from pundits and fans alike.
This performance intensified existing scrutiny, with some supporters labeling his recent displays for the national team as rash and careless since the start of the year.
Selection Dilemma for Coach Eric Chelle
The revelation presents a significant headache for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle as Nigeria prepares for its final Group C match against Uganda. The central question is whether continuing to field an injured goalkeeper serves the team's best interests.
A growing section of Nigerian fans and analysts are now calling for Nwabali to be benched for the crucial Uganda game. They argue that protecting the player from further risk and potentially fielding a fully fit alternative might be the wiser strategic move.
Nwabali reported for national duty on Sunday, December 14, arriving at the Renaissance Hotels in Cairo as Nigeria began its final preparations for the tournament hosted by Morocco. His commitment to playing through pain has been acknowledged, but it now sparks a debate about squad management at the highest level of competition.
