CURRENT REPORT BLOG Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will be available for selection in the 2023 AFCON quarter-finals against Angola on Friday, February 2 if he is deemed fit after the test.
The injured Super Eagles goalkeeper will go through a late fitness test later today, January 31, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The 27-year-old Nwabali was hurt during Nigeria’s 2-0 round of 16 victory over Cameroon on Saturday when Georges-Kevin N’Koudou tackled him while he was attempting to catch the ball that had been crossed into the box.
He was replaced in the 81st minute by Francis Uzoho after receiving treatment on the pitch for a few minutes. Luckily, Nigeria maintained their 2-0 lead for the remainder of the match.
After the game, Stanley Nwabali was quoted as saying: “I’ll be fine but I’m still feeling pain. For the next game, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll wait for the doctors but I wish to come back.”
The goalkeeper was not present for the team’s first practise following their victory over Cameroon, but his appearance on Tuesday, January 30, in training suggests that he is getting better in time for the team’s quarterfinal match against Angola.
The NFF made it clear in a statement that the goalkeeper’s availability for the quarterfinals will depend on the outcome of the late test.
