JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Nigeria’s national team has suffered a setback ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against South Africa, with first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali injured during a recent club match.
The 29-year-old was stretchered off during the first half of Chippa United’s midweek fixture against Richards Bay FC. The club confirmed that medical staff are still assessing the extent of the injury, leaving uncertainty over his availability for the September 9th match in Bloemfontein.
Nwabali had been included in Nigeria’s 31-man provisional squad. The team has three alternative goalkeepers—Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie, and Ebenezer Harcourt—who could step in if he is ruled out.
The injury comes at a challenging time, with South Africa scheduled to host Lesotho at the same venue in preliminary matches before the two sides meet.
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