“A serious concern” – Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper questions Nwabali’s decision to quit Chippa United

Former Super Eagles and Kano Pillars goalkeeper Bassey Akpan has expressed his shock at Stanley Nwabali’s decision to exit Chippa United, Afrik Foot reports.

The 29-year-old broke into the limelight during Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 campaign in Cote d’Ivoire, helping a Peseiro-led Super Eagles team to the final.

The former Enyimba International goalkeeper replicated his brilliant antics again in the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, proving pivotal in the third-place game, denying Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush from twelve yards to seal the bronze medal for Eric Chelle’s side.

Nwabali made a surprising decision after the winter transfer window. The Super Eagles number one reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, five months before his deal with the Chilli Boys was due to run out.

Super Eagles: Bassey Akpan questions Nwabali’s contract termination

Now clubless, Nwabali mentioned he left Chippa United without a backup plan, but also revealed he’s in no rush to find a new club in a report by ESPN.

Bassey Akpan who racked up ten appearances for Nigeria, although ten of those were for the home-based Super Eagles, was apalled by Nwabali’s decision.

“This is not the right time for him to terminate his contract,” the 42-year-old said in quotes revealed by Brila.

“The transfer window has just closed, so why terminate now?

“If the decision had been taken before the window opened, he would have had the opportunity to secure another club and continue playing.

“It’s not good for a goalkeeper of his stature to be without a team. For a national team goalkeeper, not playing regularly is a serious concern.

“The next transfer window is the summer window, around May or June, which means he could be without a club for several months.

“Unless the termination is due to injury or the need for rehabilitation, the decision is difficult to understand.

“At the moment, the exact reasons behind his contract termination remain unclear,” the one-time NPFL winner concluded.

Chippa United meanwhile are in a relegation battle in the PSL, just one point above 15-th place Orbit College.