The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have explained why Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will miss their final AFCON qualifier.
The Chippa shot-stopper played the full 90 minutes as the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Benin, which was enough to seal qualification with a game to spare.
Read: OFFICIAL: Young Africans appoint ex-PSL coach
However, shortly after the draw Nwabali announced that his father had passed away.
The NFF have confirmed that coach Augustine Eguavoen has excused Nwabali for Monday's clash against Rwanda.
Statement:
Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has excused grieving first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from the Super Eagles' squad to confront the Amavubi of Rwanda in Monday's final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo.
"He has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his team mates on," Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.
The player announced via his social media handle on Friday that his father, Godspower Onyekam Abali, Chief Onyeogazrim 1 of Okwuzi, had passed on. The former chief surveyor was 67.
Nwabali's absence means the contest for the number one jersey in Monday's encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be a straight one between Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Ethiopia-based Amas Obasogie.