Nigerians have been assured of Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s availability for selection in Nigeria’s quarter-final clash against Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations today.
Nigeria faces uncertainty regarding the fitness of Nwabali, who has been deputising for Francis Uzoho at the tournament.
The goalkeeper was withdrawn due to injury during the match against Cameroon, but the Chippa United shot-stopper participated in training on Tuesday.
According to Channels TV, the team’s Media Officer, Babafemi Raji, however, on Friday, hours before the game said the Nwabali was good to go.
“He trained yesterday. He trained a day before yesterday. But yesterday was much more intense.
“So, it simply means Nwabali is available for selection today. For him to have trained yesterday with the rest of the team means that he is very much available for selection.
“In terms of who gets to start, the coach decides to make. But he is very much available for selection for today’s match,” he said on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
The Super Eagles media officer emphasised that the Nigerian players are well-prepared for the upcoming match but will not underestimate their opponents.
AFCON quarterfinals
Nigeria vs Angola is the first quarter-final game of the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations by 6pm today.
All eyes are on the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they slug it out against Angola in the AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
The target for Nigeria is to qualify for the semi-final.
Following speculations over Nwabali’s fitness for Nigeria’s quarter-final clash against Angola, coach Jose Peseiro expressed faith in the ability of Francis Uzoho between the sticks on Friday (today).
Ahead of today’s game, Peseiro addressed the goalkeeper’s situation.
He stated that his availability was still subject to a late fitness test during the team’s last training session for the game.
