Super Eagles No 1 goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has insisted he does not have a new club yet after he mutually terminated his contract with South African club Chippa United.
“To be honest with you, I don’t have a club or a contract in front,” he told SABC Metrofm
“It’s an agreement that both parties will feel like [at peace], we wish each other well, and I can look forward in my career.
“I’ve been at this club for four years, it’s really nice working here, but we all really need to move forward as players or as a manager.
“Football deals with happiness; my happiness comes first.”
Nwabali has lost his place as Chippa United No 1 goalkeeper to Dumisani Msibi on return from the 2025 AFCON.
Msibi has posted four clean sheets in as many league matches.
However, the Super Eagles shot stopper said that is not what forced him out of the club with six months left on his contract.
“No, it’s not like that. Before I went for AFCON, I was injured, let me say, from the [Orlando] Pirates game, and I was trying to fix myself for coming back strong for the team and also go to AFCON,” he explained.
“So coming back from AFCON, it’s an understanding between me and the chairman [Siviwe Mpengesi] – you’re coming back from a bigger tournament and have been playing for one month, ok, you really meed to rest for like one or two games.
“That was before the decision was made, and ever since I arrived at this club, we have been talking like father and son, understanding literally every day.
“So, as I said, when I talked to him, yes, it was difficult to take that kind of decision, but he feels like it’s probably going to be best for me, which, like I said, I made this decision by myself.”
South African side, Chippa United, have parted ways with Nigeria international goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali by mutual consent, the club confirmed .
The move was not an unexpected one with the 29-year-old having made clear his intentions to leave in the past, but the timing outside the transfer window means he is not a free agent.
That is unless the deal was struck inside the January window and has only been communicated now, something that Chippa did not make clear in their statement.
“Chippa United FC confirms that Stanley Nwabali has formally submitted a request to depart the club,” the Betway Premiership club said. “After careful consideration, the club has agreed to grant his release. We would like to thank Stanley for the years of service, commitment and professionalism he has shown during his time at Chippa United.
“His contribution to the club will always be appreciated. The club wishes Stanley every success in the next chapter of his career and all future endeavours.”
Nwabali joined Chippa in 2022 and his exploits with the club led to a call-up to the Super Eagles side, where he entrenched himself as the number one at successive Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Chippa caused some controversy back home when they made it clear they were supporting Nwabali, and Nigeria, in the semi-final against South Africa in the 2023 edition of the continental finals, something that did not go down well with all fans.
Nwabali made 12 appearances this season and 76 in all for the club.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has officially parted ways with Chippa United after spending four years at the club.
Chippa United confirmed Nwabali’s departure in a statement released on Thursday, revealing that the 29-year-old submitted a formal request to leave despite signing a three-year contract extension in 2024. The club stated that it had accepted his request and granted him a release.
The statement read, “We would like to sincerely thank Stanley Nwabali for the years of service, commitment, and professionalism he has shown during his time at Chippa United Football Club, his contribution to the club will always be appreciated, and we wish him success in the next chapter of his career.”
The club did not disclose whether Nwabali has already secured a move elsewhere or if he will be available as a free agent. The goalkeeper has also remained silent on his next destination.
However, reports suggest that Nwabali is attracting interest from other clubs within the Premier Soccer League, as well as suitors in Europe and Saudi Arabia, following his rise in profile over the past two seasons.
Nwabali joined Chippa United from Katsina United in 2022 and went on to make over 70 appearances for the South African side. His leadership qualities were recognised in 2024 when he was appointed club captain.
During his time at Chippa, Nwabali established himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, a status cemented by his standout performances at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. His exit now brings to a close a significant chapter in his career, with anticipation growing over where he will play next.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has praised the leadership of the South South Media and Entertainment Awards following the giant strides made by the body since inception in 2024.
The South South Media and Entertainment Awards (SSMEAwards) is an annual event that celebrates and recognizes achievements and also honours resilient and impactful individuals, institutions, and organizations in six South South States in Nigeria (Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) for their significant contributions and achievements.
The awards, themed around recognizing “Heroes and heroines of the South South,” celebrates visionaries, innovators, and leaders who demonstrate courage, grit, and excellence in shaping social and economic and the political landscapes, often inspiring continued contributions to society.
Speaking after the successful completion of the last event that saw His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State) being decorated as the Governor of the Year and Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as the Sports Personality of the Year, Prof. Ordu said she was impressed with the drive of the body and urged the SSMEAwards leadership not to relent in its drive to improve service delivery in the six South South States in Nigeria.
“I want to commend the SSMEAwards for this laudable drive which will in no small way improve unity, progress and service delivery in the South South. Keep up the good work and do not relent,” she said.
Also speaking after an elaborate ceremony to mark the 2025 edition of the awards, Rivers State Attorney General and Honourable Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Chris Green said he was proud to identify the SSMEAwards as it was “unique opportunity to put the South South on the map for all the right reasons”.
“First, let me congratulate everyone who came together to put together such a remarkable event which will, in no small way, put the South South on the map for all the right reasons,” said Barr. Green, a four-time Sports Commissioner in Rivers State and a former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF).
“Personally, I will always identify with such projects which also aid in improving service delivery in South South Nigeria,” he added.
On his part, President of the SSMEAwards, Sammy Wejinya said the organization which is registered as a corporate entity at Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission will continue to act as a standard torch bearer in the improvement of service delivery in the region.
“I want to thank the Rivers State Government, corporate bodies and public spirited individuals that threw their weight behind this initiative and the 2025 edition of the awards. It was a remarkable success.
“We ate the SSMEAwards will not relent in our drive to be the leading light in ensuring that all sectors of the economy in the South South region of Nigeria are in line with global best practices,” he concluded.
The 2025 SSMEAwards will be celebrating the “Heroes and heroines of the South South, which exemplifies individuals and institutions that had a significant impact in the six South South States of Nigeria (Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) during the year under review.
The awards recognized a diverse group of individuals and organizations across several fields, including education, business, technology, and the arts.
SSMEAWARDS 2025 WINNERS AT A GLANCE:
Young Person of the Year:Adoga Agbo Daniel (Graceland International School)
School of the Year: Pine Manor International School
Media Personality of the Year (Male):Zubby Wokocha (Rhythm 93.7, Port Harcourt, Rivers State)
Media Personality of the Year (Female):Sergeant Iquo (XL FM 106.9, Uyo)
Book of the Year: Dream Count (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
Bank of the Year: Taj Bank
Banker of the Year: Hamid Joda (Managing Director of TAJ Bank)
Brand of the Year: Prince Mega Agency
Company of the Year: Epenal Group Of Company Nig Ltd
Minister of the Year: Festus Keyamo, SAN (Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development)
Governor of the Year: Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State)
Senator of the Year: Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West Senatorial district)
Representative of the Year: Marie Ebikake (Brass/Nembe, Bayelsa State)
Investor of the Year: High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs (Chairman/CEO DLB Group)
Sports Personality of the Year: Stanley Nwabali (Super Eagles goalkeeper)
Media Organization of the Year: AIM (Owners of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria InfoFM)
Gym of the Year: Charlies Total Fitness Centre (Port Harcourt)
Gym Instructor of the Year: Vextrong (Dance Mattaz)
Night Club of the Year: Casablanca Abacha Road, New GRA, Port Harcourt
All Star Club of the Year: Masgulf
Hotel of the Year: J’s signature 14-16 Location Road, off Tombia Extension, GRA Phase
Social Media Influencer of the Year: Soft Ajebota
Local Government Area (LGA) Chairman of the Year: Gift Worlu (Obio-Akpor LGA)
Construction Company of the Year: Lubrik Construction Company
Academic Don of the Year: Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi (VC, Rivers State University)
Shopping Mall of the Year: Next Cash And Carry Hypermarket, Port Harcourt
Tertiary Institution of the Year: University of Port Harcourt (Port Harcourt)
Oil Servicing Company of the Year: Substrata Oil & Gas Limited
Real Estate Company of the Year: Odibola Properties
Man of the Year :Prof.Isaac Zeb Obipi (VC, Rivers State University)
Woman of the Year: Adaeze Chidinma Oreh (Rivers State, Health Commissioner)
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has revealed the immense grief he faced after losing both his parents, admitting that he even considered quitting football.
In an emotional interview with ACL Sport on Wednesday, Nwabali said, “Most times I feel like quitting, you know? I feel like quitting because of my mom and dad. My mom was so dear to me. It’s really painful, man. Really painful to be talking about my mom today.”
He reflected on the depth of his loss, adding, “It really hurts. It’s not a nice feeling for any human being to lose both parents at the same time. I’ve tried not to dwell on it, but here I am. It’s very difficult.”
Nwabali lost his mother on January 1, 2025, just a month after his father passed away.
Despite the unimaginable loss, he credited his teammates for helping him cope and continue his football career.
“I remember talking to my captain about wanting to leave football. But with the help of some of my teammates, I keep going. It really hurts, but I’m standing here playing football,” he said.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released a provisional 55-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Captain William Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Stanley Nwabali among the headline selections.
Also included are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye; defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, and Semi Ajayi; midfielders Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika; and forwards Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Chidera Ejuke.
Several Nigeria Premier Football League players—Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke—also made the provisional list.
A final squad of 28 players will be selected from the provisional pool in the coming days.
The Super Eagles are expected to resume camp in Egypt on Wednesday, 10 December, where they will play a couple of friendly matches ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on Sunday, 21 December.
Nigeria will compete in Group C, alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
Super Eagles Provisional 55-Man List
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey)
As the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification campaign enters its critical stage, Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has found himself at the centre of mounting criticism over a perceived decline in form and composure. Once hailed as a revelation between the sticks, the 28-year-old Chippa United shot-stopper now faces scrutiny from former internationals and fans who believe complacency may have crept into his game, writes DANIEL OYEKAN
In Nigeria’s recent 2–1 victory over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s handling error allowed the Crocodiles to halve the deficit, and another moment of hesitation nearly cost the team a late equaliser.
Again, against the invading The Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo, cameras captured him exchanging heated words with defender Calvin Bassey as the team walked off for halftime, a scene that drew concern from pundits. He also endured a difficult outing in the earlier tie against Rwanda, where lapses in communication raised questions about his concentration.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Edema Fuludu, a member of Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, did not mince words in his assessment.
Fuludu described Nwabali as “complacent” and warned that his attitude could prove costly if unchecked.
“The man has become complacent. I don’t know what he’s thinking now or what he believes he has achieved so far,” Fuludu said in an interview with Sports Radio Brila FM. “Uzoho left, he came in and became the toast of Nigerians. Maybe he doesn’t understand that at this stage, we need total focus to get to where we want to be.”
Fuludu, who also played club football in Turkey with Altay in his heyday, believes that Nigeria’s qualification campaign has survived more on luck than cohesion in recent games.
“He could have cost us the game against Lesotho. He should be spoken to in a language he understands. Complacency has set in and he cannot continue like that,” Fuludu added, urging the coaching crew to intervene before public criticism escalates. “You know Nigerians; we don’t forgive easily.”
As Fuludu succinctly put it, “A tree does not make a forest.” The Super Eagles’ ambitions, he said, depend not just on individual brilliance but on unity, accountability, and professionalism values the team must rediscover if Nigeria hopes to secure its seventh FIFA World Cup appearance.
Echoing that concern, Mamelodi Sundowns legend and former Nigerian international Muisi Ajao warned that unchecked emotions could derail Nwabali’s promising career.
“I am astonished about his recent behaviour,” Ajao told The Nation. “He seems to have suffered a slump in form, and his anger issues are not helping. That could affect his relationship with teammates and the technical crew, and that’s not healthy for him. He needs to work harder on his ball handling and reflexes and forget about those unnecessary antics.”
Meanwhile, former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju also weighed in, calling for improved communication within the team’s defensive setup. He noted that the goalkeeper’s temperament and lack of synergy with defenders could undermine the Super Eagles’ chances of securing a World Cup spot.
“Nwabali needs to change his ways, all that communication breakdown and lack of composure might be what will stop us from getting what we want,” Adepoju said.
The criticisms mark a sharp turn in public sentiment for a player once celebrated as a national hero following his heroics at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where his penalty-saving brilliance helped Nigeria reach the final. Since then, expectations have soared and the spotlight, once warm, has grown intense.
With Maduka Okoye of Udinese now back from suspension, competition for the Super Eagles’ No. 1 jersey could intensify ahead of Nigeria’s next round of matches.
While many still believe in Nwabali’s talent, voices within the football community are united in their call for renewed discipline, humility, and focus.
Super Eagles Numero Uno Stanley Nwabali was on the receiving end yesterday as Richards Bay FC thrashed Chippa United 4-1 and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout in South Africa.
The Natal Rich Boys reportedly took only five minutes to make the presence felt as Bomelo pounced on a misplaced ball in the area and beat Nwabali from close-range.
The fine start continued two minutes later when debutant Mutizwa rose on the end of a curling delivery from a corner-kick and headed in the roof of the net.
Chippa got a lifeline in the opening-quarter as Tshobeni halved the deficit with a smart finish from a tight angle after attacking a probing cross by Nga.
However, there was no comeback as the host added a third ten minutes to halftime when a turnover in midfield saw Bomelo run forward and teed-up Mutizwa to register his brace.
The Chilli Boys made a double change at the break with Thabang Malaoa on for Seun Ndlovu before Giovanni Philander stepped aside for Bandile Dlamini.
But despite spirited efforts by Chippa after the interval, it was Richards Bay that wrapped up the victory in added time when Lundi Mahala ran in-behind a through pass and finished from close-range.
Chippa United head coach Luc Eymael has hailed Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali following his last-minute heroics in the South African Premier League.
Nwabali pulled off a dramatic 90th -minute penalty save to secure a 1-1 draw for the Chilli Boys away to Sekhukhune United, once again proving his reliability in difficult moments.
The Nigerian international had missed Chippa’s previous league outing — a 2-1 defeat to Polokwane City — where 24-year-old Ayanda Sithole stepped in between the sticks.
Eymael admitted at the time that Nwabali’s absence was a sad situation but stressed it was one the club preferred to handle internally.
Now back in action, the head coach expressed relief and satisfaction with his number one goalkeeper’s return, praising his impact on the result.
“Stanley showed today why he is a top goalkeeper,” Eymael said.
“It was not easy for us after the last game, but his presence brings confidence to the whole team. That penalty save means a lot — not just for the point, but also for our morale.”
“I would like to be in Europe now. But I have a contract with my current club, who were not prepared to let me go. I have to honour the contract I signed,” he said in an interview.
