15 Year Old Goalkeeper Backed To Step In for Stanley Nwabali As Nigeria Face Rwanda and South Africa
- 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt has been tipped to cover for injured Stanley Nwabali in World Cup qualifiers
- Nigeria, who have one win in six games, faces crucial matches against Rwanda and South Africa in September
- Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Alloy Agu has preached calm, insisting Harcourt is ready for the big stage
The Super Eagles may be forced to depend on Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt, a 15-year-old goalkeeper, as Nigeria prepares for two must-win 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali may be absent for both games after he suffered an injury during Chippa United’s 1-0 loss to Richards Bay, leaving his availability for September in doubt.
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The 29-year-old goalie has been instrumental for Nigeria since starring at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he led the Super Eagles to win a silver medal.
As seen on FIFA.com, Nigeria, who are fourth in Group C with seven points, trails South Africa with six points and Rwanda with one point, and Nwabali’s potential absence poses a major headache for coach Eric Chelle.
With back-to-back crucial games in Uyo (September 6) and Johannesburg (September 9), the Super Eagles cannot afford to slip up.
Harcourt backed to step up for Nwabali
In the wake of Nwabali’s injury, attention has turned to Ebenezer Harcourt, who has already made history as the youngest ever full international for Nigeria.
Source: Twitter
The Sporting Lagos goalkeeper, who was also the youngest player at the African U20 Cup of Nations earlier this year, has been officially listed as the only home-based player in Eric Chelle’s provisional squad.
Former Super Eagles shot-stopper Alloy Agu has called for calm among fans, insisting that Harcourt, along with other goalkeepers, is more than capable of rising to the occasion.
“I don’t think we should panic. It’s football, and he has not been ruled out of the game,” Agu told Brila.net.
“The other goalkeepers are also well capable. They are waiting for their chance to showcase what they have.”
Harcourt’s fearless displays, including two crucial penalty saves in Nigeria’s U20 AFCON quarter-final victory over Senegal, have made him one of Nigeria’s talented goalkeepers.
A historic moment awaits Harcourt
Harcourt’s call-up for the qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa offers him another chance to make history.
Earlier this year, the 15-year-old star broke the long-standing record of Femi Opabunmi, who became Nigeria’s youngest senior international in 2002.
The Super Eagles’ camp will open on September 1 in Uyo, where coach Chelle will assess Nwabali’s condition and finalise his options.
Should Harcourt get picked, he will become the youngest goalkeeper to represent Nigeria in a competitive World Cup qualifier.
With South Africa and Rwanda both ahead in the standings, Nigeria cannot afford to drop points in both matches to risk failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
Nwabali rates Nigeria's World Cup chances
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Stanley Nwabali has rated the team's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of the impending three-point deduction for South Africa.
The Chippa United goalkeeper urges the fans to marry their expectations with reality, as the team cannot win every match just because they are Nigerian.
Source: Legit.ng
