Stanley Nwabali: Why Kaizer Chiefs Pulled Out of the Race to Sign Super Eagles Goalie

Stanley Nwabali: Why Kaizer Chiefs Pulled Out of the Race to Sign Super Eagles Goalie

Chukwu Ikechukwu
May 8, 2024 at 6:28 AM
In this article:
Stanley Nwabali logo
S. Nwabali
-GNigeria logo
Chippa United logo
Chippa United
South Africa
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South Africa Premier Soccer League logo
ZA Premier League
South Africa
South Africa logo
South Africa
South Africa
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Nigeria logo
Nigeria
Nigeria
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Super Eagles logo
Super Eagles
South Africa
Kaizer Chiefs logo
Kaizer Chiefs
South Africa
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  • Kaizer Chiefs have exited the race to sign Stanley Nwabali this summer
  • The DStv Premier League club was keen on the Super Eagles goalkeeper
  • Nwabali has been tipped to leave Chippa United at the end of the season

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Stanley Nwabali is currently Africa’s most-wanted goalkeeper, with clubs from within and beyond the continent said to be queuing up to sign the 27-year-old shot-stopper in the summer window.

After starring for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and leading them to the silver medal, the highly-rated keeper witnessed his value skyrocket in the transfer market.

Stanley Nwabali, Super Eagles, Nigeria, Chippa United, Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa
Stanley Nwabali starred for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, keeping four clean sheets. Photo by Franck Fife.
Source: Getty Images

According to Punch NG, Nwabali, who currently plies his trade with Chippa United in South Africa, is set to leave the club in the summer after the goalkeeper refused to extend his contract.

Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), Queens Park Rangers (England), and Al-Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia) have all been strongly linked with an interest in the Nigerian, who is expected to seek a new club this summer.

Nwabali’s next move is yet unknown although it looks almost certain the Super Eagles goalkeeper will not remain in South Africa after Kaizer Chiefs backed out of the race to sign him.

Why Kaizer Chiefs backed out

Kaizer Chiefs have been put off by the heavy price tag on Nwabali and will no longer make a move to sign the Super Eagles goalkeeper when the transfer window opens this summer, Daily Post reports.

Amakhosi officials have claimed they still have a keen interest in the shot-stopper but cannot afford his R30 million (approximately £1.3mil) transfer fee, which they regard as too costly for their budget.

Nwabali has two years remaining on his contract with Chippa United, but the South African club is reportedly willing to sell him to the highest bidder this summer to cash in on his rising value in the market.

Nwabali responds to transfer rumours

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Nwabali has spoken about the rumours linking him with a move to QPR and Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq when he departs Chippa.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper stated he is yet to receive a formal offer from a club in Europe, Saudi Arabia, or Africa and that all reports right now are only rumours.

Nwabali has kept nine clean sheets in 20 DStv Premiership matches this season, as well as keeping four clean sheets en route to Nigeria's AFCON silver finish.

Authors
Chukwu Ikechukwu photo
Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..