Super Eagles goalkeeper, Nwabali faces late fitness test ahead of Angola clash

The coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has confirmed that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will be facing a late fitness test ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal match against Palancas Negras of Angola on Friday, Feb. 2.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Peseiro told journalists on Thursday in Abidjan at a news conference that a decision would be made later today.

He said that if Nwabali fails to make it, he will play Francis Uzoho instead.

The Portuguese tactician said he has confidence in playing any of the goalkeepers in camp because he trusts all of them.

He, however, explained that the only match they will be in with a 50/50 chance is the quarterfinal clash with the Palancas Negras of Angola.

Peseiro said that his team is ready for the task ahead to go beyond the quarterfinals of the competition.

“It is going to be a tough match; our team will be playing with maximum concentration, good determination, and organisation.

“We are playing a good team, not a big name,” Peseiro said.

NAN recalls that the Super Eagles played out a 1-1 draw in their first game against Equatorial Guinea, dispatched host, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, 2-0 in their second game, and won 1-0 over Guinea-Bissau in their last group B match.

The three-time African champions, defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 in the round of 16 to set a date with the Palacas Negras of Angola in the quarterfinal.

Angola are one of the highest-scoring teams in the 2023 AFCON, with nine goals.

The Palancas Negras secured a 1-1 draw in their first group match with Algeria, with victories in the 2nd and 3rd matches, a 3-2 win over Mauritania, and a 2-0 victory against Burkina Faso.

They thrashed Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16 to set up a clash with Nigeria.