Following the injury sustained in the 2-0 victory over Cameroon, the head coach of the Super Eagles national team has provided an update on the goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday, but rather than celebrations, concerns have grown regarding the situation of goalkeeper Nwabali who was stretchered off after a collision with Georges-Kévin N’Koudou.
The Super Eagles shot-stopper was replaced in the 80th minute by former Eagles “number 1” Francis Uzoho, who made his first appearance in the competition after falling below the pecking order.
The Super Eagles’ head coach, Jose Peseiro, has stated that they are going to assess Stanley Nwabali’s injury ahead of their game against Angola.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Peseiro said:
“We will assess the state of Nwabali’s injury in the next 24 to 48 hours.
“It’s difficult to assess his condition while we were in the match. But I am hoping that he will be fit for the next match.”
“I want him to play. And the players want him to play.”
It is expected that Nwabali will have around a week to recover from the injury, with the Super Eagles’ AFCON quarter-final tie against Angola coming up next Friday.
Speaking to reporters after the win over Cameroon, Nwabali, who noted that injuries are part of the game, said he would be fine.
“I was OK before this game [Nigeria vs Cameroon]. But it [injury] happens. I will be fine. I don’t know [if I would be fit for the next game]. I will still come back,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nwabali had earlier dispelled insinuation that he is now Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper.
In an interview after the victory over Guinea-Bissau, the Chippa United goalie said he got an opportunity to represent his country and that he would be prepared to deliver whenever he got the nod to play.
“I am still not seeing myself as number one; I always say this. I only have an opportunity, and I just want to play and give my best,” Nwabali said.
He also said that he was not under any pressure while in goal for the Super Eagles but was rather happy with his performance so far in the competition.
Nwabali has so far kept three clean sheets in four games played, making an incredible mark during his maiden appearance in the competition.
