Nigeria’s preparations for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have been dealt a significant blow after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali sustained an injury. The 29-year-old was stretchered off during the first half of Chippa United’s league match against Richards Bay on Tuesday, appearing to be in considerable pain after collapsing without any contact.

Nwabali is currently undergoing assessment by Chippa United’s medical team, but initial indications point to a potentially serious setback that could rule him out of Nigeria’s crucial qualifiers against South Africa and Rwanda, two must-win fixtures if the Super Eagles are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

The timing of Nwabali’s injury couldn’t be more concerning, as it comes amid an ongoing goalkeeper crisis for Nigeria. Maduka Okoye, the team’s other senior option, is currently serving a two-month suspension from all football activities after being found guilty of violating betting regulations, leaving the Super Eagles with limited depth between the posts.

As a result, coach Eric Chelle is left with a trio of inexperienced and largely untested alternatives we have; Amas Obasogie, currently plying his trade in Tanzania, has yet to earn his first cap; Adebayo Adeleye, with Greek side Volos NPS, has only a single appearance for the national team and Ebenezer Harcourt, a 15-year-old prodigy who impressed during the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, recently received his first senior call-up but is not expected to be thrust into high-pressure qualifiers just yet.

Currently, Nigeria sits fourth in Group C with seven points, trailing group leaders South Africa by six. With qualification hopes hanging in the balance, every remaining match is now critical. Dropping points in the upcoming fixtures could severely damage their chances of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Super Eagles’ coaching staff will now be racing against time to monitor Nwabali’s recovery and finalize a reliable option to man the posts. With just a few weeks remaining until the qualifiers, Nigeria’s road to the World Cup looks rockier than ever.