Izuchukwu Okosi
Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been declared fit by the Super Eagles medics to play against the Palancras Negras of Angola on Friday evening at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan in the first quarterfinals game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, reports Prime Business Africa.
Nwabali suffered a mild ligament injury in the 2-0 win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and was replaced by out-of-favour Francis Uzoho but the Chippa United safehands has made a remarkable recovery from that setback.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNwabali was part of the team’s training session on Tuesday and Wednesday after sitting out of the training on Monday.
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro however revealed in his pre match press conference ahead of the clash with the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations hosts that the keeper may not be risked, meaning that Uzoho or third choice keeper, Olorunleke Ojo could be handed the chance to be in goal.
“We have to wait for a late fitness test today, if he is not ready, I have other goalkeepers (Francis Uzoho and Ojo Olorunleke),” Peseiro said.
“I believe and trust all my goalkeepers and I can tell you for a fact that if Nwabali is not fit, I trust Uzoho.”
“Thanks to everyone that checked up and showed disquiet in one way or the other at this strenuous time, I appreciate,” Nwabali said on response to the goodwill messages from Nigerians.
Nwabali thanked Nigerians for their great affection following his injury in a social media post.
“We are all human and anything is prone to happen. Onto the next one!,” the Chippa United goalkeeper said and his post got a response from former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju.
Adepoju fondly called ‘The Headmaster’ replied to him saying: “Wishing you the speediest of recoveries.”
Meanwhile, team captain Ahmed Musa and rightback, Samuel Osayi-Samuel have been ruled out of the game through injuries.
Musa who is yet to play a single minute in the tournament went down with a a thigh injury in Monday’s training and will not be fit for the tricky tie against Pedro Goncalves’ men.
Osayi-Samuel has played twice in the ongoing tournament albeit from the substitute bench.
The Angola versus Nigeria game will kick off at 6pm Nigerian time on Friday.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
