Junior Khanye: Ex-Chiefs winger warns against signing Nigeria keeper Nwabali

Photo Credit - Chippa United.

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Thabo Khanye has warned the club against signing Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nwabali, who plies his trade with Chippa United, has been linked with a move to Chiefs since 2023. His heroics at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast further ignited the Glamour Boys’ interest in the Super Eagle as a replacement for club legend, Itumeleng Khune.

The Amakhosi, however, signed former TS Galaxy goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari before the start of the current campaign. Speaking on iDiski TV, Khanye, 39, said Nwabali is not the right fit for Kaizer Chiefs.

“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,” said Khanye, who earned one cap for Bafana Bafana.

“But this guy, when I watch and observe him, he gives away a lot of goals, especially high balls. I mean, sometimes he’ll get a ball and then spill it. He makes high school mistakes.

“They need to go and look for a proper keeper. I am not sure if the PSL has a top keeper available…I love (Ricardo) Gross, maybe he can go to Chiefs. I have been watching Nwabali and I don’t think he is a good fit for Chiefs. I think someone is selling this guy, he can’t handle the ball, instead he fists the ball away. He lacks the basics.”

Nwabali has made 23 appearances in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) this season, and he was in goal for Chippa United in their 3-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL on Wednesday.

It was Chippa’s third straight defeat, and they have now gone five consecutive matches without a win. They are currently in eighth place on 30 points in the 16-team league table.