Nigeria: Stanley Nwabali returns to starting lineup against Madagascar

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Stanley Nwabali is back between the posts for Nigeria. The Chippa United goalkeeper is included in the starting XI announced by the Super Eagles on Friday to face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, on the occasion of the first round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

His last match for the national team came on January 17, 2026, in the third-place playoff of the 2025 AFCON against Egypt. Nwabali played a decisive role in Nigeria’s penalty-shootout victory (4-2), saving efforts from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

An absence of several months

After the AFCON, Nwabali left Chippa United in February 2026 as part of a mutual agreement. The 30-year-old goalkeeper stayed away from competitive football for several months before returning to the South African club in July.

He returned to competition on August 1 against Golden Arrows. Starting the match, Nwabali made six saves and kept a clean sheet in a game that ended 0-0.

After this period away from the national team, Éric Chelle recalled him to his squad for the first two rounds of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Nwabali was set to compete with Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo, who were also called up as goalkeepers.

Read also: Nigeria: Nwabali, Okoye and Okonkwo, three goalkeepers competing for one place

Nwabali chosen by Chelle

The Nigeria head coach ultimately decided to trust Nwabali for this first official match of the campaign. The decision comes after Maduka Okoye did join the squad in Uyo ahead of the match, contrary to initial reports that the Udinese goalkeeper would be absent.

Nwabali therefore returns directly to the starting lineup for his comeback with the Super Eagles. Against Madagascar, he will be tasked with guarding Nigeria’s goal in their opening Group L match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, which also includes Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.

This starting berth extends the Chippa United goalkeeper’s gradual return, after he resumed competition in South Africa before returning to the Nigeria squad.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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