AFCON 2023: Ranking the top 5 players who shone brightest after match day one
Football
Stanley Nwabali undoubtedly leads the ranks for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) breakout stars of the tournament.
Having made his debut with the Nigerian national team a mere six days before the kickoff of the showpiece in Ivory Coast, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has swiftly evolved into one of the tournament's finest custodians.
His stellar performances, marked by three clean sheets in four AFCON outings, have not only earned acclaim but also stirred interest from various European clubs, including the Belgian First Division A side Union St. Gilloise.
AFCON 2023: Ranking the top 5 players who shone brightest after match day one
FootballHowever, in a strategic move to prevent the former Enyimba International goalkeeper from departing at a reduced transfer fee, Premier Socer League (PSL) club Chippa United have imposed a new transfer fee on the Nigerian, ensuring his worth is duly recognised and protected.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
According to reports from Brila.net, the Port Elizabeth-based club has raised the transfer fee for the Nigerian to an estimated fee in the region of ₤2 million.
The primary objective behind this increase is to secure the most advantageous deal possible for the goalkeeper in any potential transfer.
Nwabali has also garnered attention from several powerhouse teams in the PSL, notably catching the eye of giants like Kaizer Chiefs, who harbour reservations about the performance of veteran shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune.
However, the prospect of Nwabali completing a transfer from Chippa United this winter is almost ruled out, given that the transfer window is already nearing its conclusion. Nonetheless, a transfer in the summer appears very likely on the horizon.
AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast coach acknowledges Super Eagles' dominance ahead of clash
FootballIn a previous report, Sports Brief stated that a medical team member of Nigeria’s Super Eagles provided an update regarding the fitness of Stanley Nwabali's potential for the quarter-final match against Angola.
The anonymous medical staff emphasised that the circulated video showcasing the Chippa United star's return to training was merely a fitness test, underscoring that the goalkeeper underwent separate drill sessions from the main group.
The source also stressed that Nwabali's availability would be closely monitored, and any update regarding his injury would be made only following careful observation.