Nigeria's goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake FILE. The Nigeria international Stanley Nwabali certainly has not let his failed transfer to the Kaizer Chiefs dampen his spirits. Picture: Issouf Sanogo/AFP
For many African footballers, the chance to play for Kaizer Chiefs is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it probably wasn’t any different for Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The Nigeria international, however, certainly has not let his failed transfer to the AmaKhosi dampen his spirits.
In fact, the 28-year-old seems more determined than ever to turn in top performances for the Eastern Cape outfit.
And that comes after he starred for Nigeria as they finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year.
Stanley Nwabali @NwabaliBobo vs South Africa | Man of the Match#AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/cI6jsrBjZU
— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) February 8, 2024
“I wouldn’t say I was really affected by what happened after last season, and after the Afcon because it’s football,” Nwabali told iDiski Times.
“Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t work but as a footballer, one thing is for sure deals come, and deals also crash.”
The shot-stopper went on to say even though he did not end up joining the ranks of the mighty AmaKhosi, he still felt motivated to give his best for Chippa.
“But one thing I know is that even with all this happening you don’t have to lose your value as a soccer player.
“With everything that happened, I even felt like I was going to leave the club but I’m still with the club so it doesn’t change anything.”
Chippa, as it turned out, only finished two spots behind Chiefs in the league last season. Though, admittedly, it was a season to forget for the Soweto Giants.
Chippa are next in action on October 26 when they host Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.