Kaizer Chiefs have been struggling to find a reliable goalkeeper to replace Itumeleng Khune, who was released at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The Glamour Boys signed Fiacre Ntwari from TS Galaxy as Khune's replacement, but he struggled to settle, making some costly blunders. Brandon Petersen failed to get back the position owing to mistakes, and the opportunity fell to Bruce Bvuma, who, just like his colleagues, is not convincing at all.
Rumours have circulated that the Glamour Boys are considering signing Chippa United and Nigeria international Stanley Nwabali. The 28-year-old has played for the Chilli Boys 23 times in the Premier Soccer League and has kept nine clean sheets.
On Wednesday night, Nwabali was in goal as Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a 3-0 win to get closer to their eighth title in a row. Former Chiefs winger Junior Khanye doesn't believe that the Super Eagles custodian can deliver for Amakhosi.
‘Nwabali gives away a lot of goals'
Khune argues Nwabali pulls some good saves, especially on low balls, but insists it is not the case on aerial balls.
“I think the fact that he is a Nigerian international as first-choice goalkeeper can be blinding because Nigeria have a superior team that covers him sometimes. But this guy when I watch and observe him, gives away a lot of goals, especially high balls. They don’t beat him at the bottom but the advantage of his height,” he told iDiski Times.
“I mean, sometimes he’ll get a ball and then spill it, he does high school mistakes. So to answer you, if he’s suitable for Chiefs I know they can’t bring Khune back, but can they get a talented goalkeeper who can also play with his feet? A good stopper with good reflexes, talented, and plays with his feet. I'm talking about a star goalkeeper.”
‘Nwabali can't do the basics'
“They must go do their research, and I don’t think I'll see anyone in the Betway Premiership now. So no, I don’t think he’s a good goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs because he didn’t only make a blunder in this game,” he continued.
“I know the technical team might say something different, and I think someone is selling this guy. I mean, even if you look at the second goal, he was supposed to handle that ball; he’s taller than everyone, he can probably touch the crossbar without jumping.
“For me, he can’t do the basics. Chiefs with the crisis they have, they can get a proper scout to look for a proper goalkeeper,” Khanye concluded.
