Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali could miss Nigeria's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers after sustaining an injury.

The 29-year-old was substituted in the 35th minute and was taken off the field on a stretcher during Chippa United's PSL clash against Richards Bay on Tuesday, August 26.

Nwabali's name featured prominently in Eric Chelle's provisional 31-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa next month.

The Super Eagles' number one now races against time to be fit ahead of the two all-important fixtures.

Nwabali has cemented his spot as Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper following his impressive display at the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

With Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye also out of the squad, Eric Chelle will now have to choose a potential replacement for Nwabali between Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie, and Ebenezer Harcourt, who were all shortlisted in the provisional list.

The three-time African champions will host the Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, before travelling away to take on the Bafana Bafana in what will be a cracker four days later.

WDN