Stanley Nwabali won’t feature for Nigeria’s final 2025 AFCON qualifier against Rwanda on Monday. The goalkeeper announced on social media that his father, Godspower Onyekam Abali, Chief Onyeogazrim I of Okwuzi, had died at 67.
Softfootball understands Nwabali will still travel with the squad despite being excused. Team administrator Dayo Enebi Achor told reporters:
He has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his teammates on
Nigeria have already secured qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, meaning Monday’s fixture against Rwanda offers interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen an opportunity to assess other members of his squad. Okoye and Obasogie are both in contention to start as the Super Eagles look to end their qualifying campaign on a positive note.
His absence turns the goalkeeping battle into a straight fight between Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Ethiopia-based Amas Obasogie for the number one jersey at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Nigeria have already qualified for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, but Monday’s clash will settle who starts in goal heading into the tournament.
