“Important thing” – Ex-Moroka Swallows star tells Nwabali how to reclaim Super Eagles No.1 spot

Former Nigerian goalkeeper Idah Peterside has delivered a blunt assessment of what Stanley Nwabali must do to force his way back into the Super Eagles setup, Afrik Foot reports.

The ex-Moroka Swallows shot-stopper was unequivocal in his response when asked if Nwabali’s decision to leave Chippa United during the winter transfer window was the right one.

“No, I don’t think so,” Peterside told Footy-Africa, before tempering his verdict with an acknowledgement of the complexities involved in club-level decisions. “But sometimes, you don’t really know what goes on at club level — the struggles players face and the difficulties they encounter. His decision to leave was personal. He’s a big player and a very good goalkeeper. We just hope he gets a club before the new season begins.”

The 29-year-old terminated his contract with the South African side in February, bringing an end to a four-year association during which he had risen to club captain and cemented himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper.

His performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco—most notably, his penalty heroics against Egypt and Morocco—had elevated his profile significantly.

Yet, more than two months on from his Chippa departure, Nwabali remains without a club.

Ex-Moroka Swallows on what Nwabali must do

Those monitoring the situation have not overlooked the consequences of his prolonged absence from competitive football.

Nwabali was omitted from Eric Chelle’s squad for Nigeria’s recent international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, with the Super Eagles’ head coach appearing to prioritise goalkeepers who were actively playing.

Rivals Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho remain in contention, while a growing case is being made for Arthur Okonkwo, who has been exceptionally reliable for Wrexham in the Championship.

Peterside is well aware of the stakes:

“He knows he has to play regularly — that’s the most important thing,” he said, adding that he trusted Nwabali’s representatives to secure an appropriate move. “He’s a professional, and I believe his agents will sort things out so he can get back to playing.”

Offers Existed — But Chippa Would Not Budge

His goalkeeper trainer, former Super Eagles and Lobi Stars custodian Greg Etafia, has shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Nwabali’s exit.

Speaking to Brila FM, Etafia revealed that Nwabali had received multiple offers while on international duty at AFCON, but Chippa United refused to sanction his departure.

“When I spoke to him, he told me he had a lot of offers when AFCON was on, he needed to go, but there is no agreement within the club,” Etafia explained. “He came, felt like he needed to play or go. Don’t forget Dumisani Msibi was doing well in his absence.”

The impasse ultimately led to a mutual termination of his contract, which left Nwabali as a free agent, though Etafia suggested the goalkeeper has no shortage of interested parties.

“Right now he has a lot of offers and is waiting for the season to end,” Etafia confirmed.

Kaizer Chiefs rumours for the Super Eagles goalkeeper

The names most prominently attached to Nwabali since his departure have included Kaizer Chiefs, with interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar also reported.

Peterside acknowledged the Kaizer Chiefs speculation with cautious optimism.

“I hear Kaizer Chiefs might sign him, which would be great for him,” he said.

Afrik-Foot previously identified Kaizer Chiefs, Tanzanian giants Simba SC, and Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazi as three realistic destinations for the goalkeeper ahead of the summer window.

With the Amakhosi currently well-stocked in goal—with Brandon Petersen ahead of Rwanda’s Fiacre Ntwari—a free-agent signing of Nwabali’s calibre would nonetheless make it a compelling proposition.

For his part, Nwabali has publicly maintained composure throughout the period of uncertainty.

“I’m not worried,” he said in an earlier interview. “I don’t have a specific country or league where I’m desperate to play. Wherever welcomes me and feels right, I can play.”

He has continued to train privately to maintain his sharpness while waiting for a concrete offer.

The clock is ticking

Despite Nwabali’s relaxed public stance, the clock is ticking. With the summer transfer window still some months away and competitive international fixtures on the horizon, every week without club football increases the risk of him losing his grip on the number one jersey altogether.