Nigeria may have been dealt a big blow as Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is a doubt for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana.
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Nigeria's difficult World Cup qualifying campaign could go from bad to worse after Nwabali was stretchered off during Chippa United's 1-0 defeat to Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership.
Nwabali was taken off in the 35th minute due to injury. While the extent of the injury remains unknown, the 29-year-old will likely miss the Super Eagles' crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, and his possible absence would be a serious blow to the Super Eagles.
Nwabali has been Nigeria's starting goalkeeper since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and was included in Nigeria's 31-man provisional squad, but now it looks as though under-fire coach Eric Chelle may have to do without the Chippa United shotstopper.
Without the 21-capped international, Chelle is short on experienced options in goal and will have to rely on Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie, and Ebenezer Harcourt for the next two games.
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Nigeria currently sit fourth in Group C with just seven points from six games, six points adrift of group leaders South Africa. The West African giants will need to win both games to stand any chance of qualification before the final round of qualifiers in October.
