AFCON 2023 Final: Nwabali Misses Nigeria Training as Super Eagles Prepare for Ivory Coast Showdown

• Stanley Nwabali missed Nigeria's training ahead of the AFCON 2023 final against Ivory Coast
• The Chippa United keeper pulled off a stellar display in their semi-final win over South Africa
• Nwabali was not the only Super Eagles player to have missed that training session in Abidjan

Nigeria have resumed training ahead of their AFCON 2023 final against Ivory Coast, after defeating South Africa in the semi-final on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles' clash with Bafana Bafana ended in a 1-1 draw in normal time, with the winner only determined after a post-match shootout.

Nigerian goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two out of the four penalties by South Africa, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the winning kick.

In preparation for the AFCON final, Jose Peseiro's side returned to training, with Sports Brief noting Nwabali was not part of the players present at the session on Wednesday (February 8).

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A report from a source in the Super Eagles camp confirmed that the Chippa United goalkeeper was resting, but he is expected to be in action for his country in the last round.

The former Lobi Star shot-stopper was injured in Nigeria's Round of 16 clash with Cameroon but was deemed fit for the quarter-final and semi-final games.

Nwabali is expected to return to training today (February 9) alongside Victor Osimhen, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, and Zaidu Sanusi, who all missed the same session.

The Chippa United star is still expected to be in goal when Nigeria face the Elephants of Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.

Nigerians celebrate at Nwabali’s home

Sports Brief previously reported Nwabali is the darling of Nigerian supporters after helping the Super Eagles qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.

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Hundreds of supporters were spotted trooping to the Chippa United star's family house in Port Harcourt, Rivers, after his heroics against Bafana Bafana.

The Nigerian international has kept four clean sheets so far in the competition and has conceded twice in six games as the Super Eagles chase a fourth title.