Stanley Nwabali says he doesn’t have new club yet after Chippa United exit

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has opened up on his future saying he is yet to get a new club to join following his departure from South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Chippa United.

Chippa United agreed to part ways with Nwabali following a review of the Super Eagles’ request to leave the club.

 

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The 2025 Africa Cup bronze medalists had submitted a request to leave the club with the Chilli Boys agreeing to grant the wish of the Port Harcourt born player, bringing an end to a four-year spell.

‘I don’t have a club or contract in front’

“To be honest with you, I don’t have a club or a contract in front,” he told SABC Metrofm as quoted by The Nation.

“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.”

Asked whether he was forced to leave Chippa United after he lost his place to Dumisani Msibi on return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Nwabali responded: “No, it’s not like that.

‘I was trying to fix myself to comeback strong’

“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.

“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 need 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.”

Nwabali joined Chippa United in 2022 from Nigerian side Katsina United. At the time, his arrival attracted little fanfare, but he quickly grew into one of the most dependable players in the squad.

Over the course of his stay, Nwabali made 76 appearances across all competitions, registering 25 clean sheets. His consistency between the posts earned him recognition as the club’s “safest pair of hands” and helped Chippa United survive several difficult spells in the league.

Mutual decision brings Nwabali’s Chippa United spell to an end

Chippa United recently confirmed that they had agreed to release Nwabali following a review of a request submitted by the Nigerian international. The request was made shortly after his return from international duty with the Super Eagles, where he featured prominently during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The Super Eagles went on to claim the bronze medal at the tournament, further enhancing Nwabali’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most reliable goalkeepers in recent years.

Speaking about his current situation, Nwabali admitted that he does not yet have a contract offer on the table.

“To be honest with you, I don’t have a club or a contract in front,” he told SABC Metro FM, as quoted by The Nation.

“It’s an agreement that both parties will feel 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 managers.”