Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has found himself in an uncertain professional landscape after his request to be released by South African club Chippa United was granted, leaving him without a club and potentially sidelined for the remainder of the season.
In a candid interview with South African radio host Andile Nchube, Nwabali admitted he had no new offer before making the surprising decision to leave, stating, “There is no contract in front, there is no club in front. And I am not guaranteeing you that a club will come today or tomorrow.” Despite this, the shot-stopper insisted he was “not desperate to get a club.”
The decision to part ways with the DStv Premiership side was made during his impressive run with Nigeria at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco, a choice he described as “tough.”
While declining to elaborate on the precise reasons for his mid-season departure, Nwabali hinted at a desire for personal and professional growth, stating, “In football, you have to make a step forward. It was something I really needed to do… Football is something that deals with happiness. Your happiness comes first.”
Nwabali, who tasted trophy success in Nigeria, expressed a clear ambition for his next move: “Every player wants to win a trophy, every player wants to play in a bigger stage. My dream is to win something.” He also highlighted a desire for competitive environments, believing it helps in self-improvement.
However, the timing of the release, approved just as the transfer window for most leagues closed, presents a significant hurdle. While Nwabali is now a free agent, the inability to register with a new club until next season means he could face a lengthy period of inactivity. This has led to speculation regarding Chippa United’s motives for delaying the approval of his release request until the eleventh hour, despite Nwabali’s assertion that the separation was amicable. The question now looms: was the delay deliberate, potentially impacting Nwabali’s immediate playing prospects?
