SUPER Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali could miss tomorrow’s AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Angola, head coach Jose Peseiro has hinted.
There have been reports today that the Chippa United goalkeeper had fully recovered from the injury he sustained against Cameroon on Saturday and would face the Palancas Negras tomorrow in Abijdan.
However, Peseiro said today that the 27-year-old would still undergo further fitness test to confirm his availability.
The Portuguese coach insisted that he trusted his other options if Nwabali could not win the fitness race.
“We have to wait for a late fitness test today, and if he is not ready, I have other goalkeepers (Francis Uzoho and Ojo Olorunleke),” Peseiro said during his pre-match press conference in Abijdan today.
“I have confidence in and trust all my goalkeepers. If Nwabali is not fit, I trust Uzoho.”
Former Super Eagles first choice Uzoho, who was in goal at the Russia 2018 World Cup, replaced Nwabali for the final 10 minutes and added time in the 2-0 victory over Cameroon on Saturday.
Nwabali only made his Super Eagles debut in a pre-AFCON 2023 friendly but has started all four of Nigeria’s games in the tournament, keeping three clean sheets and conceding just one goal.
The quarter-final clash between the Super Eagles and Palancas Negras is scheduled for the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abijdan tomorrow, with kick-off set for 6pm Nigerian time.
