Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is expected to start against Angola on Friday after being declared fit for the AFCON quarter-finals.
Nwabali joined and finished a training session with his colleagues on Thursday, despite ongoing doubts about his fitness for the match.
However, on Friday, hours before the match, sources from the Nigerian camp said that Nwabali would start for the Super Eagles against Angola.
Also speaking earlier on Channels TV, Super Eagles Media Officer Babafemi Raji stated that the custodian was ready to travel.
”He trained yesterday. He trained the day before yesterday. But yesterday was much more intense,” he said on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
”So, it simply means he is available for selection today. For him to have trained yesterday with the rest of the team means that he is very much available for selection.
”In terms of who gets to start, it is the coach’s decision to make. But he is very much available for selection for today’s match.”
Nwabali has only conceded once in four appearances for the Super Eagles in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Chippa United goalie has captured Nigerian hearts with his exploits at the ongoing AFCON in Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles will face the Black Antelopes in the quarterfinals at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
Following a convincing performance against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the Black Antelopes of Angola on Friday for a spot in the AFCON semi-finals.
Though Nigeria’s performance in the group stage left much to be desired, the Super Eagles delivered a convincing performance against Cameroon, raising hopes that the side may go on to win their fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire.
Angola, on the other hand, has performed admirably in the ongoing competition, finishing first in their group and easily defeating Namibia in the round of 16.
