Nigeria international goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali delivered a standout performance as Chippa United secured a 2-0 away victory over Cape Town City in the South African PSL on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Former Pretoria Callies defender Sinoxolo Kwayiba grabbed both goals to seal Chippa United’s first win in three matches across all competitions, but it was Nwabali’s brilliance between the posts that proved just as crucial.
The Super Eagles shot-stopper made six key saves to help his side keep their first clean sheet since November, ending a run of nine games without one.
Nwabali denied efforts from Tshegofatso Nyama, Thabo Nodada, Kayden Francis, Haashim Domingo, and Lorenzo Gordinho in a first half dominated by Cape Town City.
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Despite being on the back foot for much of the game, Chippa United struck first on the hour mark when Kwayiba applied the finishing touch to a swift counterattack.
Ten minutes later, Kwayiba combined with Ronaldo Maarman before rifling a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner, sealing the visitors’ victory.
Cape Town City had one last chance in stoppage time, but Stanley Nwabali was alert, making a fine save from Jody Ahshene to preserve his clean sheet.
The win marked Chippa United’s second league victory since their 2-0 triumph at Magesi in November. It was also sweet revenge after Cape Town City had beaten them 1-0 in December, courtesy of Kayden Francis’s late strike.
Stanley Nwabali's redemption?
Beyond Chippa United’s win, Nwabali’s return to form will be a huge relief for both his club and the Super Eagles.
The Nigerian goalkeeper had been under fire following a string of poor performances.
Stanley Nwabali was blamed for Chippa United’s defeat to TS Galaxy on February 8 after gifting Croatian forward Damir Šovšić the winning goal. A week later, he conceded three goals as Kaizer Chiefs thrashed Chippa 3-0 in the South African Cup.
First of many! Damir Sovsic opens his league account in style. ⚽ @aQuelle @aQuelleViV #Siyadumuza #TheRockets #TSG pic.twitter.com/TCefGEJTft
— TS Galaxy FC (@TSGALAXYFC) February 8, 2025
Chippa United coach Thabo September, however, defended Stanley Nwabali, acknowledging that the goalkeeper was still grieving the loss of both parents, who passed away just weeks apart.
“Where we lost it, maybe it’s from the bench,” September said. “From me, from the coaching side, because my goalkeeper did plead with me that he was not okay today and he wanted to rest.
“He’s going through a lot. Him being the number one goalkeeper, I pushed him and said he must play. Sometimes you must listen. For me as a coach, just growing into that.
“He’s going through a lot. Him being the number one goalkeeper, I pushed him and said he must play. Sometimes you must listen. For me as a coach, just growing into that.
“So, I’ll take that. From the players, everyone gave 120% performance, so I’m happy about that; they gave it their best.”
With Nigeria set to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, concerns had grown over whether Nwabali was mentally ready for international duty.
That worry was compounded by Nigeria’s lack of in-form alternatives.
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, sidelined since December due to a wrist injury and embroiled in a betting scandal, remains unavailable. Meanwhile, Francis Uzoho has struggled for game time at Omonia Nicosia, making just two league appearances this season.
Nwabali’s return to top form is, therefore, a timely boost for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who is set to announce his squad list for the March qualifiers in the coming days.
