AS the clock ticks toward the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Super Eagles are facing a growing injury crisis that is set to force major selection dilemmas for head coach Eric Chelle, who is expected to unveil his final 28-man squad on Thursday (today).
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nigeria, runners-up at the last tournament in Ivory Coast, released a provisional 54-man list last week, but that pool has since been ravaged by injuries to key players across the pitch most worryingly in goal and defence.
Chief among Chelle’s problems is the uncertain fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the 2023 final.
The 29-year-old has not played since the last international break and has reportedly been nursing both an ankle injury and a worsening hand problem requiring surgery.
Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi cast serious doubt on his AFCON chances.
“I doubt it, looking at the state of his injury,” he told SuperSport. “He was confident he’d recover soon, but the reality is that he is still injured.”
Nwabali has missed the club’s last three matches. Despite this, there remains a possibility that Chelle may risk including him in the final 28-man squad with hopes of a late recovery — a gamble that could shape Nigeria’s tournament.
If he does not make it, Chelle will be forced to rely on Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, Amas Obasogie, or Ebenezer Harcourt, none of whom have been first choice in recent times.
Defensive versatility has also taken a major hit with the injury to 20-year-old sensation Benjamin Fredrick, who has rapidly grown into an important figure since his debut earlier this year.
Fredrick, who has started six consecutive matches, suffered a knee injury shortly after Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying playoff loss to DR Congo.
Seen as the natural long-term successor to retired captain William Troost-Ekong, his absence leaves Chelle scrambling for alternatives.
The defensive challenges do not end there. Ola Aina remains sidelined with a hamstring issue and is unlikely to be available before January.
Felix Agu has been out since October with an ankle problem. Zaidu Sanusi missed FC Porto’s last match for unexplained reasons.
These concerns leave the coach with a limited pool of fit defenders including Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Igoh Ogbu, Ryan Alebiosu, and Adekunle Adeleke.
The midfield remains the least affected department, while in attack the major concern is Kelechi Iheanacho, who recently returned from injury at Celtic.
While Chelle can afford to drop Iheanacho if unfit, he does not have the same luxury in defence.
Nigeria are drawn in Group C, alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda — with only Nigeria and Tunisia yet to release their final squads.
The Eagles will camp in Egypt, where they are scheduled to play an unofficial friendly against the Pharaohs on December 16.
Their group-stage fixtures are as follows:
Dec 23: Nigeria vs Tanzania (Fès)
Dec 27: Nigeria vs Tunisia (Fès)
Dec 31: Nigeria vs Uganda (Fès)
Nigeria are chasing a fourth AFCON title, having last won the trophy in 2013.