Super Eagles and current Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been reportedly warned not to come back to the PSL following the conclusion of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast.
Nwabali helped Nigeria advance to the AFCON 2024 final at the expense of Bafana Bafana.
The Chippa United shot-stopper made two saves from the penalty spots to deny South Africa a place in the final, helping Nigeria to secure a 4-2 win.
Stakeholders fear for Stanley Nwabali
Following his heroics, some concerned football stakeholders have raised concerns as to why he should no longer be a player in the PSL including former CAF Appeal Committee vice president, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, who advised Stanley Nwabali against returning to Chippa United due to threats according to reports in the Nation Sports.
“The feelers I’m getting from South Africa regarding Nwabali are not encouraging and I want to advise that he should not go back to Chippa United after the Afcon,” the football administrator stated.
“Some would say it was just football but the signals I’m getting from South Africa about Nwabali are not so positive.
“If possible, he can forget going back to Chippa United and train with any of our top clubs either Enyimba United or Rivers United before he can find a new club.
“That is my honest advice and I hope he takes it,” Uchegbulam said.
Stanley Nwabali declares readiness to play for Chippa
Meanwhile, the man in the eye of the storm, Nwabali who has the backing of his club chairman at Chippa United has reiterated that he's unfazed by the threats and that they should just be seen as mere outbursts of emotions.
“I must go back to my club, but talking about the threats, this is football. You can’t threaten someone because they also won against some other teams too. How about if those they beat decide to keep threatening your players, would it make sense?
It is football and I don’t think there’s anything attached to it. Maybe it was just someone's writing on social media,” said the former Lobi Stars shot stopper.
“It’s cool to me because I spoke to my chairman a few days ago and he didn’t mention any sort of threats. He simply told me that it was cool to come back. So, I must go back to my club because they own me,” he added.
The AFCON silver medal-winning goalkeeper has been linked with a move to PSL giants Kaizer Chiefs following his stellar performances for the Super Eagles at AFCON 2024 in Ivory Coast.
Several European outfits are also rumoured to be keeping tabs on Nwabali.
