Chippa United's goalkeeper coach, Sean Louw, has highlighted the club's pivotal role in the technical and mental development of Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Reports from South Africa indicate that Nwabali will be leaving Chippa United before the start of the new season. Lagos-born Nwabali has been with the South African side since 2022, having spent his entire career prior in his native Nigeria.
The 27-year-old had a standout 2023/24 season in the South African Premier Division, achieving 12 clean sheets and conceding 27 goals in 29 matches for the Gqebera-based team while taking his national appearance total to 11.
Nwabali’s prominence soared in January when he played a key role in Nigeria's journey to the final of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, recording four clean sheets in seven games and making two crucial penalty saves in the quarterfinals against South Africa.
Louw highlights Nwabali's remarkable development and overseas prospects
In a recent interview with FARPost, Louw stressed Nwabali's development during his time at Chippa United, particularly in improving his footwork, which was initially a challenge.
According to Louw, “On physical hard copy paper, I don’t know how many offers he has received. But verbally, he has around 10 or even 12 offers,”
“He is definitely not coming back to Chippa next season,” he continued.
“When he arrived at Chippa, he wasn’t very proficient with his footwork, unable to play from the back.”
“However, he has improved his footwork significantly.”
“I don’t know if he’s going to make a move within South Africa. But my advice to him was, please go overseas.”
“I have made him understand that football is a business, and he is a brand. He is not just a player. His brand needs to extend to the other side of the world.”
Stanley Nwabali's transfer saga: QPR, Al Hilal, Al-Ettifaq, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs in the mix
Several clubs have shown interest in Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, including English club Queens Park Rangers (QPR), Saudi Arabian clubs Al Hilal and Al-Ettifaq, and South African sides Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Former Chippa United technical director Morgan Mammila hinted at a transfer fee of R10 million, with recent reports suggesting a potential move to Kaizer Chiefs has been turned down.
