Super Eagles head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has granted first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali permission to miss Monday’s crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Rwanda due to the death of his father.
Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, confirmed the decision, saying, “He has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his teammates on.”
The 27-year-old goalkeeper had earlier announced the passing of his father, Chief Godspower Onyekam Abali, known as Chief Onyeogazrim I of Okwuzi, on Friday via social media. Chief Abali, a former chief surveyor, passed away at the age of 67.
With Nwabali unavailable for the upcoming match, the competition for the starting goalkeeper position in Monday’s AFCON qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be between Maduka Okoye, who plays professionally in Italy, and Amas Obasogie, who is based in Ethiopia.
