Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali could miss out the Africa Cup of Nations finals as he struggles with both an ankle and hand injury, his club coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi said.
The 29-year-old Nwabali was first choice for Nigeria as they reached the final of the last edition, beaten 2-1 by the Ivory Coast in the deciding game and has been Nigeria’s regular goalkeeper since, amassing a total of 27 caps.
But he has not played since Nigeria were beaten by the Democratic Republic of Congo last month on post match penalties in their World Cup qualifying playoff match in Rabat and Vilakazi says it is not looking goof for him to make a quick return.
“I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury,” he told supersport.com.
“I don't think he will make it, but 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 he wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals.
“But the reality is saying for now he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there,” added Vilakazi.
“It's an ankle injury, but then also the hand needs an operation because he's been playing with that (injured) hand for a while now and he aggravated the injury while he was in Morocco.”
Nigeria have named Nwabali in a provisional squad that they announced last week but are yet to make their final 27-man selection for the tournament.
The Super Eagles compete in Group C where take on Tanzania in their opening game in Fes on 23 December.