Nwabali faces national team doubt as Udi calls for form-based selection policy

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has come under scrutiny ahead of the Super Eagles’ upcoming fixtures, with former international Duke Udi urging head coach Eric Chelle to leave the shot-stopper out of the squad for now.

Nigeria are set to participate in the 2026 Unity Cup in London, scheduled for 26 to 30 May, where they will face Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and India in a four-nation tournament.

Chelle is expected to announce his squad in the coming days, but uncertainty remains over whether Nwabali will retain his place as first-choice goalkeeper.

The Chippa United goalkeeper was already absent during the March international break after being without a club, and he is still yet to secure a new team.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Duke Udi believes that situation alone should rule him out of selection, arguing that national team call-ups must be strictly based on current form and active club involvement.

“We need to learn from the English and Senegalese national teams,” Udi told Brila. “Sometimes when you do things your own way and it’s not working, you have to look at those doing it better and learn from them.

“If you look at Senegal, they pick players based on merit and form. You must prove yourself to get called up.

“Every Nigerian who wants to play for the Super Eagles should be chosen on merit, not based on where he comes from or who he represents.

“The national team isn’t a rehabilitation centre. Nwabali isn’t a bad goalkeeper, but for now he is clubless, so how do you bring a clubless player into the national team?

“As I always say, ‘I get am before no be property’—past glory isn’t a current asset. You should always pick based on form.”