Nigeria’s hopes of reviving their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign have been hit by fresh injury concerns after striker Akor Adams and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali were both sidelined, Footynaija.com reports.
Adams, newly called up to the Super Eagles squad, has been ruled out following a muscle injury sustained in training with Sevilla.
The Spanish club confirmed the forward damaged his left thigh and will miss their La Liga match against Girona this weekend.
The setback ends his chance of making a long-awaited Nigeria debut in September’s qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
For Nwabali, the situation is equally worrying. The Chippa United goalkeeper was stretchered off midway through a league match on Tuesday, raising doubts about his availability.
Since his breakout displays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nwabali has been central to Nigeria’s defensive stability, and his absence would force manager Eric Chelle to turn to inexperienced alternatives such as Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie, or teenager Ebenezer Harcourt.
Nigeria’s campaign is already under strain. With just seven points from six games, the Super Eagles trail group leaders South Africa by six points. Back-to-back fixtures in September will be pivotal — Rwanda in Uyo on 3 September, followed by a trip to Bloemfontein four days later.
Eric Chelle led Nigeria to a 2-0 win over Rwanda and a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in March.
Super Eagles World Cup blow: Another Nigerian star ruled out after Nwabali injury adds to Chelle’s worries
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