Nwabali Cleared to Play as NFF Dismisses Officiating Concerns Ahead of AFCON Semi-Final

Super Eagles confident of ending Morocco’s title ambitions Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been reassured that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is eligible to feature in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against hosts Morocco, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise.

The crucial clash with the Atlas Lions will kick off at 8:00 p.m. at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium. Rumours had circulated on Monday that Nwabali would miss the match due to two accumulated yellow cards from previous fixtures. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) quickly dismissed the claims.

“Nwabali has only one yellow card from the knockout stage,” explained Super Eagles’ Media Officer Promise Efoghe. “All the cautions he received during the group phase do not carry over to the knockout rounds. He is fully available and ready to defend Nigeria’s honours on Wednesday.”

Team captain Wilfred Ndidi, however, is suspended for the semi-final after receiving two yellow cards in the knockout phase. His place in the starting XI will be taken by Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika.

NFF Confident of Fair Officiating

Ahead of the tie, concerns had emerged over potential biased officiating favouring the hosts. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau addressed the speculation, expressing full confidence in the match officials.

“I do not share the fears some have about refereeing bias,” said Gusau. “The pitch is level, and the officials are professionals. There is no reason to believe they will work against any team.

“Last summer, Nigeria defeated Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, coming from two goals down to claim victory. This demonstrates that there is no need for fear. At this level, CAF and the global football community are watching, and the officials will act fairly.”

Gusau, who also serves as president of WAFU B, made the remarks amid widespread concern among Nigerian fans that the referees might unduly favour Morocco, who are aiming to secure their second AFCON title, 50 years after their first.

Super Eagles Remain Focused

The Super Eagles camp continues to exude confidence, with players following a disciplined training schedule at Hotel Rihab and the Complexe Sportif Mohamed VI.

Reports from Morocco’s camp indicate that the Atlas Lions are particularly wary of Nigeria’s midfielder Alexander Iwobi. The 29-year-old has been a standout performer in the tournament, delivering 22 line-breaking passes in the second-round 4-0 victory over Mozambique and 14 in Saturday’s 2-0 quarter-final win against Algeria’s Desert Foxes in Marrakech.

Iwobi, who made his senior debut for Nigeria against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Belgium on 8 October 2015, also provided assists for Nigeria’s first two goals in the 2-1 opening-round win over Tanzania in Fés on 23 December. Wednesday’s semi-final will see him earn his 96th cap for the Super Eagles.