A recent report indicated on August 31 that Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has successfully dealt with his injury concerns and is now ready for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
The 29-year-old raised alarms when he was carried off the field just minutes before halftime during Chippa United’s game against Richards Bay.
Fortunately, he alleviated those concerns by returning to the pitch on Sunday, participating in Chippa’s 3-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Sources reported that Stanley Nwabali was given a strict timeline to regain his fitness after sustaining an injury in Chippa United’s 1-0 loss to Richards Bay in the South African Premier Soccer League on Tuesday night.
Having established himself as Nigeria’s primary goalkeeper following his impressive displays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the 29-year-old had to exit the match in the 35th minute, which raised significant concerns ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.
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Despite his team currently sitting at the bottom of the South African Premier Division with only one point from five games, Nwabali’s fitness is a significant advantage for Nigeria.
Head coach Eric Chelle had already included him in the final 23-man squad, contingent upon his recovery for two critical matches.
Nigeria will begin their qualifying journey with a home match against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, followed by an away game in Bloemfontein against their rivals, South Africa.
As the Super Eagles aim to secure as many points as possible to enhance their chances in the qualifiers, Nwabali’s return to goal is timely and important.
