Chippa United goalkeepers' trainer Sean Louw has confirmed Nigeria shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali will not return to the club ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The 27-year-old has been on an upward trajectory for both the Chilli Boys and the Super Eagles. His exploits have seen several top clubs being linked to his services, with Kaizer Chiefs, reported;y, leading the race, especially in the Premier Soccer League.
Nwabali did not have a good international break with Nigeria in the race for the 2026 World Cup spot as his team drew 1-1 with South Africa in Uyo on June seven, before falling 2-1 against Benin in Abidjan three days later.
However, that changes nothing regarding the future of the bulky custodian according to Louw, who has further confirmed more than 12 teams are keen on signing the shot-stopper.
The Super Eagle is gone! ‘Not coming back to Chippa United'
In a recent interview with FarPost, Louw conceded Nwabali will not be part of the Chilli Boys. He hopes the talented keeper can secure a move abroad as opposed to plying trade in the Premier Soccer League.
“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,” Louw responded when asked about the clubs interested in Nwabali.
“He is definitely not coming back to Chippa next season. 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.”
Why are Chiefs desperate to sign a decent goalkeeper?
The Glamour Boys did not have a good campaign and ended up finishing 10th in the Premier Soccer League.
Inconsistencies in the goalkeeping department were among the reasons why Amakhosi performed dismally across all competitions.
Brandon Petersen started the campaign but made massive blunders that negatively impacted the team.
He was demoted in favour of veteran custodian Itumeleng Khune; the latter was eventually dropped owing to a disciplinary breach and in the long run, it was Bruce Bvuma who ended the season as the club's first-choice keeper.
Khune might be leaving the team once his contract expires at the end of the month, leaving Petersen and Bvuma as the only goalkeepers in the senior team.
Nwabali's introduction will strengthen the team and provide healthy competition which might result in ending the trophy drought.
