Nigeria’s preparations for September’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers have been dealt a double blow after Akor Adams and Stanley Nwabali both picked up injuries.

Adams, who was in line for his Super Eagles debut, has been ruled out with a muscle problem sustained in training with Sevilla.

The striker damaged his left thigh’s long adductor and will miss this weekend’s La Liga clash against Girona.

Sevilla confirmed the setback in a medical update on Wednesday, stating that the 25-year-old will not feature and is undergoing treatment.

The timing could not be worse for Adams, who only recently earned his first national team call-up. He had hoped to play a role in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign but is now unavailable for the fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa.

Both matches are critical as Eric Chelle’s side look to reignite their push for a place at the 2026 finals in North America.

The Super Eagles are already facing concerns in goal after Stanley Nwabali, their first-choice goalkeeper, was stretchered off during Chippa United’s 2-0 win over Richards Bay in South Africa’s Premier Division on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old lasted just 35 minutes before pulling up injured, sparking fears he may not recover in time.

Nwabali has been a consistent figure since his breakthrough at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he guided Nigeria to the final. His calm presence and reliability between the posts have made him an automatic pick.

Losing him would force Chelle to turn to less experienced options such as Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye, or teenage prospect Ebenezer Harcourt.

Nigeria’s qualification campaign has already faltered. With just seven points from six matches, the Super Eagles sit fourth in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa. Anything less than victory at home to Rwanda on 3 September, followed by a strong performance away in Bloemfontein, could leave their hopes hanging by a thread.

For Adams, this latest injury continues a frustrating start to life with Sevilla, after missing a chunk of the second half of last season due to muscle problems.

Although yet to score, he provided an assist in Sevilla’s first La Liga match of the season – a 3-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao. The former Montpellier forward will now focus on rehabilitation, while Nwabali’s condition remains under assessment.

Despite Adams’ expected withdrawal, Eric Chelle will be silently confident that, in Victor Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, and Terem Moffi, he has striking options that can get the job done against Rwanda and South Africa.