AFCON 2023: Injured Nwabali Cleared To Face Angola

Injured Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has received the green light to face the Palancas Negras of Angola in Friday’s quarter-final clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The former Lobi Stars shot-stopper faced uncertainty for the game after suffering a mild ligament injury in the Super Eagles’ Round of 16 victory against Cameroon on Monday.

Following a personal training session with the medics on Tuesday, Nwabali underwent a scan on Wednesday, revealing no serious injury. He is poised to return to goal on Friday, although Coach Jose Peseiro has hinted that he may not risk the goalkeeper if he is not fully fit for the tie.

Nwabali, who has conceded just once in four appearances for the Super Eagles at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, remains a crucial asset for the team.

Meanwhile, CAF has designated Senegalese official Issa Sy as the referee for the match, assisted by compatriots Djibril Camara and Nouha Bangoura as assistant referees 1 and 2. Mauritanian official Abdel Aziz Bouh will serve as the fourth official, and Modibo Samake from Mali will be the reserve assistant referee.

The roles of commissioner and referee assessor will be taken on by Ahmad Nazeer Hossen Bowud from Mauritius and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia, respectively.

The anticipated match, set to kick off at 5 pm Cote d’Ivoire time (6 pm Nigeria time), marks another rare occasion of a showdown between Nigeria and Angola, with limited encounters between both nations at the senior level over the years.

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