Chippa United and Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili has issued an update on his injury while also reflecting on his AFCON campaign.
Nwabili, who has been Nigeria’s number one in Ivory Coast, caused a scare amongst the nation’s supporters. He was stretched out with what looked like a serious injury in the 78th minute during their last 16 win against Cameroon on Saturday.
The 27-year-old has kept three clean sheets so far in the tournament and has been key to Nigeria’s progression to the quarter-finals.
Nwabili, who is in his second season at DStv Premiership side Chippa United, told journalists after the match that he was still feeling some pain.
STANLEY NWABILI ISSUES UPDATE ON HIS INJURY AGAINST CAMEROON
“I was okay before the game, but it happens, but I will be fine. I don’t know [if I will be available for the next game]. Maybe I will hear from the Doctor or something, but I don’t know. But I wish to come back to see your happy faces,” he said, referring to journalists.
“I am still feeling pain. The pains are still there, but I will be fine. I need to rest today, and tomorrow I will start to think about the next game.
“When you have your clean sheet, you always feel happy. For your team and your country, you feel happy. So I feel so happy today to get another clean sheet, but it’s a half-clean sheet. I feel so bad leaving my teammates on the pitch going out. I felt so bad.”
NIGERIA NATIONAL TEAM COACH POSITIVE OF CHIPPA UNITED GOALKEEPER’S RECOVERY
Meanwhile, head coach Jose Peseiro is optimistic that Nwabili will be available for the next match.
“We will need 24 to 48 hours before we know what will happen. He told me that he would go for the next match but if he can not we will play another goalkeeper. I believe in all my players, but I would like him to recover,” he told reporters.
Nigeria will now face Angola in the quarter-final match on Tuesday, 2 February at Stade Félix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
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