AFCON 2023: Nigerian goalie Nwabali to undergo fitness test for Angola clash

Super Eagles’ doctors attending to the injured Stanley Nwabali during Nigeria’s second round game against Cameroon at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 to book a quarterfinal ticket against Angola.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, will undergo a late test to determine his fitness to face Angola in the quarter-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday.

According to team medics, Nwabali sustained a mild ligament injury during the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in an AFCON 2023 round of 16 encounter on Saturday.

Since then, there has been uncertainty that the Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper will start the match against the Palancas Negras of Angola.

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, during a pre-match press conference on Thursday, said the 27-year-old will undergo a fitness test before selecting him.

“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.”

Meanwhile, former Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju, has wished the injured Nwabali a speedy recovery ahead of the quarter-final match.

Adepoju said this on social media while Nwabali thanked Nigerians for standing by him during the injury.

“Thanks to everyone that checked up and showed disquiet in one way or the other at this strenuous time, I appreciate,” Nwabali said.

“We are all human and anything is prone to happen. Onto the next one!.” The Chippa United goalkeeper got a response from Adepoju a.k.a The Headmaster who replied to him: “Wishing