Chippa United head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi has revealed the full extent of the injuries threatening Stanley Nwabali’s participation at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nwabali, 29, has been central to Nigeria’s plans, having started all six Super Eagles matches played in 2025 and featuring in 12 games across all competitions for Chippa United this season.
He has not played since Nigeria’s World Cup playoff loss to DR Congo, where he aggravated both ankle and hand injuries.
Stanley Nwabali.Photo Credit: CAF/X
Vilakazi delivered the clearest update yet on the seriousness of the situation. “I doubt it (if Nwabali would be fit for the AFCON), looking at the state of his injury,” he told supersport.com.
The coach admitted that while the player remains optimistic about a quick recovery, the medical reality suggests otherwise.
“I don’t think he will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he will 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.”
Photo Credit: Chippa United/X
Vilakazi went on to explain that the injuries are more complicated than initially thought.
“He is recovering from 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.”
Nwabali’s absence would be a major setback for Nigeria. The goalkeeper earned 27 caps and became a trusted figure after his standout performances at the last AFCON, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up.
Stanley Nwabali. Photo Credit: Chippa/X
Head coach Eric Chelle is already dealing with a defensive crisis: Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu are out, Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain doubtful, and captain William Troost-Ekong has retired.
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Nigeria named Nwabali in a provisional squad last week, but attention has now turned to possible replacements. Chelle’s options include Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye and Ebenezer Harcourt.
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Nigeria will face Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in Group C, the goalkeeping decision now looms large as the Super Eagles prepare to enter the tournament without one of their most reliable performers.
