Super Eagles shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali will not be in goal when they take on Rwanda in their final Group D match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Monday, Afrosport reports.
The 28-year-old goalie has been reportedly excused from the team by interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen following the passing of his father.
Nwabali announced the demise of his father, Chief Godspower Onyekam Abali, on social media on Friday. However, multiple reports suggested the former surveyor, who passed on at the age of 67, had died on Wednesday, but the family decided to keep the news away from the goalkeeper so as not to distract him from their match against Benin Republic.
Nwabali was in goal for the Super Eagles as they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday as a late header from Victor Osimhen salvaged a point for the three-time African champions, which was enough to book their spot in next year’s AFCON in Morocco.
Nigeria’s team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, confirmed the team’s decision to exclude Nwabali from the match against the Amavubi, adding that he would, however, attend the match “and cheer his teammates on.”
Nwabali’s absence from the team provides a new headache for Eguavoen, who will have to choose between Udinese’s Maduka Okoye or Ethiopian-based Amas Obasogie as the man in goal for Nigeria against Rwanda.
Okoye last played for Nigeria in the round of 16 at AFCON 2022 in Cameroon, while former Bendel Insurance goalie Obasogie will be looking to make his Super Eagles debut.
The Super Eagles, Group D leaders with 11 points, will face the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Monday, with the match set to kick off at 5 p.m. local time.
You can watch the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers encounter between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Amavubi of Rwanda LIVE on Afrosport TV on Monday,November 18, and anyone in Nigeria can also stream for FREE on Afrosport TV Facebook page and via the VIDIVU online portal.
