Stanley Nwabali Responds to Alleged Threats in South Africa Ahead of Chippa United Return

• Stanley Nwabali helped Nigeria eliminate South Africa from the 2023 AFCON
• The goalkeeper reportedly received threats about going back to Chippa United
• He has responded to the alleged threats as he prepares to return to South Africa

Stanley Nwabali was one of the best performers at the just concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The goalkeeper's penalty saves against South Africa in the semi-final, sent Nigeria to their first AFCON final since 2013.

The Super Eagles goalie was reportedly warned about going back to his club Chippa United in South Africa.

In the penalty shootout against South Africa, Nwabali saved two efforts from Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa to help the three-time champions reach the final, per BBC.

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Nwabali was the Super Eagles' hero that night, but Bafana Bafana fans were not happy with the 27-year-old. Amid the online banter between fans of the two nations, Nwabali was allegedly told not to go back to Chippa United, his club that players in the DStv Premiership.

Before the match, Chippa United controversially offered their support to Nigeria over South Africa, a decision which angered a lot of South Africans.

Nwabali responds to "threats"

The goalkeeper is getting ready to return to Chippa United for the second half of the season after an unsuccessful AFCON campaign with his country.

Nwabali said he will go back to his club despite the alleged threats against him.

"I must go back to my club, but talking about the threats, this is football," he said via KickOff.

"You can't threaten someone because they also won some other teams too. How about if those they beat, decided to keep threatening your players, would it make sense?"

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He dismissed the reports, adding that he spoke to the club's chairman.

"It's football, I don't think there's anything attached to it. Maybe it was someone writing on social media."

"I spoke to my chairman three days ago and he didn't say anything like all that stuff."

Nwabali unseated Francis Uzoho from the No. 1 spot in the Nigeria team and might have solidified his position as the No. 1.

Chippa United face Cape Town City in their next PSL clash, and it remains to be seen if Nwabali will be involved.

Nwabali accepts Williams as best goalkeeper

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nwabali accepting that Ronwen Williams deserved to win the Golden Glove at the 2023 AFCON after the tight battle between the two.

The Chippa United goalkeeper had a commendable display in the competition as he conceded four goals, three of which were from open play.

The South African goalkeeper took the Golden Glove after keeping five clean sheets in the competition.