By Praise Afolabi
Nigeria’s build-up to September’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers has suffered a major setback with injuries to forward Akor Adams and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Adams, who recently earned his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles, has been ruled out after sustaining a thigh muscle injury in training with Sevilla. The Spanish club confirmed he damaged his left adductor and will undergo treatment, sidelining him for both La Liga action and Nigeria’s qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa. It is another blow for the 25-year-old, whose early days at Sevilla have already been disrupted by fitness issues.
Nwabali’s injury compounds Nigeria’s worries. The 29-year-old shot-stopper was stretchered off during Chippa United’s 2-0 win over Richards Bay in South Africa after just 35 minutes of play. His availability for next month’s qualifiers remains uncertain, raising concerns for coach Eric Chelle. Nwabali has been Nigeria’s most reliable goalkeeper since his standout performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he guided the team to the final.
Should he fail to recover in time, Chelle may be forced to turn to less experienced options such as Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye, or teenage prospect Ebenezer Harcourt.
Nigeria’s qualification campaign has already faltered, with just seven points from six matches. The Super Eagles sit fourth in Group C, six points adrift of leaders South Africa. Victory at home against Rwanda on September 3 and a strong away result in Bloemfontein are now crucial to keeping their 2026 World Cup hopes alive.
