SUPER Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen has given bereaved goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali time off from the Super Eagles as they face Rwanda in Monday’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo.
“He has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his teammates on,” Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.
Nwabali announced via social media on Friday that his father, Godspower Onyekam Abali, Chief Onyeogazrim 1 of Okwuzi, had passed on. The former chief surveyor was 67.
Nwabali’s absence means the contest for the goalkeeping role in Monday’s encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be between Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Ethiopia-based Amas Obasogie.
The 28-year-old Nwabali was in goal on Thursday as the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Benin Republic in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire to finish as Group D winners with a game to spare.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with Nwabali on the loss of his father.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the demise of Stanley Nwabali’s father. Coming a day after the player featured in the match that won us the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket, it made for a day of low morale as we flew from Abidjan to Uyo.
“The death of a parent is always a thing of deep sorrow and sadness. However, we want Stanley to take heart in the fruitful and fulfilled life that his father lived, and we pray that the Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and also grant Stanley and other members of the family the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
