Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle is preparing to submit Nigeria’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but uncertainty surrounds first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who remains sidelined with injuries suffered during the team’s failed 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
The squad must be submitted before tomorrow’s CAF deadline, and sources in South Africa say Nwabali’s condition remains a major concern.
The Chippa United shot-stopper reportedly requires surgery for both ankle and hand injuries, casting doubt on his availability for the tournament, which begins on December 21.
The News Chronicle understands that Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi offered a bleak update, explaining that while Nwabali remains optimistic about making a swift recovery, medical assessments suggest otherwise.
Vilakazi noted that the keeper would need an extraordinary turnaround to be fit in time for AFCON.
Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong would not travel with the team following his retirement announcement last week, hence compounding Chelle’s choice problems.
Also in doubt is striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who has shown up irregularly for Nottingham Forest because of a chronic injury from last season.
Teams missing the submission deadline by more than seven days risk losing two squad seats and must compete with 21 athletes, according to CAF.
Only in cases officially categorized as force majeure—that is, significant injuries backed by medical validation—will replacements be allowed after the list is given in.
Though teams can select 28 players, CAF will pay for only 23; therefore, federations will have to pay the expenses of any additional squad members.
Nigeria’s Group C opponents, Uganda, however, are now in Morocco with a 30-man provisional squad.
Before their final team is cut to 28 in preparation for the competition scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, their 11-day camp in Casablanca consists of two set friendlies.
