Stanley Nwabali made a confident return to action for Chippa United despite a recent injury scare, raising hopes for Nigeria ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. After being stretchered off with concerns following a match against Richards Bay, Nwabali recovered quickly and played in a 3-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper showed great resilience, including a key penalty save, solidifying his fitness for Nigeria’s upcoming qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September. His return is a major boost for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who retained him in the 23-man squad for these pivotal matches.
Although Chippa United remains at the bottom of the South African Premiership, Nwabali’s availability bolsters Nigeria’s defense as they seek to strengthen their bid for the 2026 World Cup finals.