Heartbreak for Eric Chelle as Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali doubtful for World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria’s preparations for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have suffered a setback after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali picked up an injury while in club action for Chippa United.

The 29-year-old was stretchered off in the 35th minute of Chippa United’s Premier Soccer League encounter against Richards Bay on Tuesday night.

The severity of the injury is yet to be confirmed, but the timing leaves him in doubt for Nigeria’s must-win qualifiers.

Nwabali has been a mainstay for the Super Eagles since his standout performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, where Nigeria finished runners-up.

The goalkeeper was named in Nigeria’s 31-man provisional squad for September’s fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa.

The matches, scheduled for September 6 in Uyo and September 10 in Bloemfontein, are critical to Nigeria’s qualification hopes after a shaky start to the campaign.

If Nwabali is ruled out, head coach Eric Chelle will be forced to rely on the other goalkeepers in the squad, Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie, and Ebenezer Harcourt.

The Super Eagles have managed just one win in six games of the qualifiers so far, leaving them in fourth place in their group with seven points. South Africa lead with 13 points, piling pressure on Nigeria to secure back-to-back victories in September.

Nwabali’s absence would be a huge blow, given his experience and leadership between the sticks. The Chippa United shot-stopper has kept Nigeria competitive in high-pressure fixtures, and his injury leaves the Super Eagles facing an anxious wait.