“The hand needs an operation” – Stanley Nwabali ruled out of AFCON 2025 in major blow for Nigeria

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been shaken after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was all but ruled out of the tournament due to injury, Soccernet.ng reports.

The development represents one of the most significant setbacks yet for a Super Eagles squad already stretched by withdrawals, fitness doubts, and a rapidly changing defensive core.

Nwabali, who became a national hero after his performances at the last AFCON, where Nigeria finished runners-up, has not played since the Super Eagles’ dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Rabat during the World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Now, doubts over his ankle and hand injuries have deepened following stark comments from his club coach at Chippa United.

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Stanley Nwabali: Chippa United coach raises alarming doubts

Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi delivered the clearest sign yet that Nwabali is unlikely to make the final squad.

“I doubt it (if Nwabali would be fit for the AFCON), looking at the state of his injury,” Vilakazi told supersport.com.

He added: “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.”

Vilakazi explained that the goalkeeper 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.”

At 29, Nwabali has become Nigeria’s most trusted figure between the posts, amassing 27 caps and commanding the No.1 jersey with calmness, authority and big-game temperament. His potential absence removes a layer of stability from a squad already grappling with significant change.

Super Eagles face growing personnel crisis

Nigeria named Nwabali in a provisional squad last week, but head coach Eric Chelle has yet to trim the list to the final 27 players. With the opening Group C match against Tanzania in Fes just days away, time is rapidly running out.

The Super Eagles will also face Tunisia and Uganda in a tricky group that demands defensive cohesion, something now in short supply.

Chelle’s problems extend far beyond Nwabali. The coach has been battling a raft of injuries: Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu are confirmed out. Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi are major doubts.

Captain William Troost-Ekong, MVP of the last AFCON, has also retired after 83 caps. Troost-Ekong’s departure strips Nigeria of leadership, experience, and a proven organiser at the back. With two centre-backs sidelined and the first-choice goalkeeper injured, Chelle faces the challenge of constructing a defensive unit from scratch under extreme time pressure.

If, as Vilakazi suggests, Nwabali fails to recover, Chelle has five alternatives to choose from: Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece), Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus), and youngster Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)

Okoye and Uzoho have tournament experience but have struggled for consistency. Obasogie and Harcourt are yet to feature in a major competition, while Adeleye remains a long-shot option.