Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi has confirmed that Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali may miss the 2025 African Cup of Nations due to injury, SportPremi reports.
The Super Eagles first-choice shot-stopper has not played since the 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff final defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo last month.
The 29-year-old saved two of the Leopards’ spot-kicks, but could not prevent Chancel Mbemba’s winning kick as Nigeria’s hopes of reaching next year’s tournament were ended.
He was included in Eric Chelle’s initial 54-man preliminary squad and is certain to represent his nation in Morocco if he is passed fit for the tournament.
Nwabali has missed Chippa United’s last three league games with an ankle and hand injury and could now miss the continental tournament due to a delayed recovery time.
What Vilakazi said about Nwabali
Stanley Nwabali has missed Chippa United’s defeat to Orlando Pirates and the stalemate against Siwelele FC and Kaizer Chiefs with injury, casting doubts over his availability for the African Cup of Nations.
According to Vusimuzi Vilakazi, the Super Eagles goalkeeper could miss the tournament due to his slow recovery from injury.
“I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury, 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”, the Chippa United boss said.
“But the reality is saying for now he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.
“It’s 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,” Vilakazi added.
What Could Nwabali’s Absence mean for Nigeria?
Since breaking into the squad ahead of the previous African Cup of Nations, Stanley Nwabali has firmly established himself as the Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper.
He was very influential in Nigeria’s run to the final of that tournament in Ivory Coast, where they won the silver medal after a 2-1 defeat to the host nation in the final.
If he misses the tournament, it would be a significant setback for the three-time champions, who will also be without captain William Troost-Ekong, following his retirement, and young defender Benjamin Fredrick, sidelined with a knee injury.
Nigeria will turn to the likes of Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho for experience to man the goalpost, alongside the other goalkeepers included in the initial preliminary squad.
The Super Eagles begin their tournament against Tanzania on the 23rd of this month, before further games against Tunisia and Uganda in group C.
