Stanley Nwabali: Chippa United Congratulate Nigerian Goalkeeper After MOTM Outing vs South Africa

Stanley Nwabali: Chippa United Congratulate Nigerian Goalkeeper After MOTM Outing vs South Africa

Elijah Odetokun
updated at February 8, 2024 at 12:23 PM
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Chippa United
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  • The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat South Africa to reach the AFCON final
  • Stanley Nwabali was the Man of the Match with two penalty kick saves
  • South African club Chippa United have congratulated their star player

Premier Soccer League club Chippa United continues to defy convention by congratulating Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for his heroics against their own country, South Africa.

Nigeria faced South Africa in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and came out victorious on penalties after a pulsating encounter in 120 minutes.

Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria, Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana, South Africa, AFCON 2023.
Stanley Nwabali displays his Man-of-the-Match award before Nigerian fans after beating South Africa. Photo by Issouf Sanogo.
Source: Getty Images

Per CAF Online, goalkeeper Nwabali was awarded the Man of the Match for his heroics, pulling off important saves in the game and saving two spot-kicks during the shootout.

The Nigerian shot-stopper is in line to be named the goalkeeper of the tournament and possibly the overall best player if the Super Eagles win and he produces another inspiring performance.

Chippa United congratulates Nwabali

The 27-year-old plays for the South African club, having joined from the Nigeria Premier Football League club, Katsina United, in December 2022.

The club have been unwavering in supporting the goalie, even against their own country.

The Chilli Boys congratulated the former Enyimba star in a statement on social media after his heroics.

“The club wishes to extend its congratulations to Stanley Nwabali for his extraordinary achievement in reaching the AFCON 2023 finals and for also earning the Man of the Match award,” the statement reads.
“Our support for you remains steadfast. You have represented the Chippa United brand admirably, and we are immensely proud of you. We will be rooting for you in the Finals this Sunday against the host country, Côte d'Ivoire. We wish you all the best.”

In a deleted post before the game, the club declared support for their player, which received backlash from the citizens.

Nwabobo, as he's fondly referred to, has seen his stocks rise and could be primed for a move to a bigger club after the tournament.

Vincent Enyeama praises Nwabali

Sports Brief reported on Vincent Enyeama praising Nwabali after the goalkeeper’s heroics in the win over South Africa to book a place in the final.

Enyeama was in goal the last time the Super Eagles reached the AFCON final in 2013 and won it. Nigerians believe they have found a worthy successor to their former number 1.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.