Super Eagles Blow: Nwabali ruled out of AFCON with hand injury
Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has been ruled out of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco due to a hand injury that requires surgery, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who has been in impressive form for the Super Eagles, has been struggling with an ankle injury and the hand injury, which he aggravated while playing for his club, Chippa United.
Nwabali's club manager, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, expressed doubts over the goalkeeper's availability for the tournament, saying: "I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury. I don’t think he will make it.
"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 who wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals."
https://twitter.com/SSFootball/status/1998045325941174658
— (@SSFootball) December 6, 2017
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Nwabali was included in Nigeria's provisional squad, but his absence is a significant blow to the team's chances in the tournament.
The AFCON kicks off on December 21 in Morocco, and Nigeria is in Group C with Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
The Super Eagles will start their campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Fes.
Coach Eric Chelle will now have to rely on backup goalkeepers, Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, to lead the team in Nwabali's absence.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun
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