Ahead of Nigeria's quarter-final clash with Angola, manager Jose Peseiro has provided an update on Stanley Nwabali's injury.
The Chippa United net-minder sustained an injury during Nigeria's 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the Round of 16.
The Nigerian international collided with Cameroon forward Georges-Kevin N'Koudou and was unable to continue playing.
Virtually unknown to many until this AFCON 2024, Nwabali has been a revelation for the Super Eagles with his prowess.
His athleticism and reactions are fine-tuned to the point of near correction.
His major strength is the ability to be in the right position in order to cover a large portion of the goal, especially when opposing forwards are bearing down on the goal.
What did Peseiro say about Nwabali?
Super Eagles manager Peseiro has stated that the team will assess the state of his injury in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Peseiro emphasised the challenge of accurately determining Nwabali's condition during the intensity of the match, highlighting the need for a comprehensive evaluation in the coming days.
“We will assess the state of Stanley Nwabali's injury in the next 24 to 48 hours. It was difficult to determine his condition while we were in the match,” he said.
Expressing optimism amidst concern, Peseiro voiced his hope for Nwabali's swift recovery, emphasising his desire for him to participate in the quarter-final clash with Angola.
Peseiro also underscored the significance of Nwabali's presence on the field, citing the collective desire of the players for his return to play.
“But I hope he will be fit for the next match… I want him to play. And the players want him to play,” he added.
Peseiro's expectation ahead of Angola fixture
The Portuguese coach demonstrated an unwavering commitment to winning every game, irrespective of external opinions or anticipations.
He highlighted the necessity of emulating the team's performance against Cameroon in the upcoming match against Angola, underscoring the requirement for a comparable level of play to achieve success.
” See, I want to just win every game. I don't about what Nigerians think about names in football but if we must defeat Angola, we must play like today,” he concluded.
