Nigeria and Chippa United goalie Stanley Nwabali reveals transfer decision amid World Cup disappointment

Stanley Nwabali has confirmed he will leave South African side Chippa United at the end of the season, with a long-awaited move to Europe now on the horizon, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 29-year-old Nigeria international has been one of the most talked-about African goalkeepers since his heroics at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where his penalty saves against South Africa propelled the Super Eagles into the final.

His performances earned him a nomination for Africa’s Best Goalkeeper, and speculation of a European transfer quickly followed.

But despite months of interest, a move failed to materialise.

Speaking after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein this week, Nwabali confirmed his time at Chippa United is over.

“I would like to be in Europe now. But I have a contract with my current club, who were not prepared to let me go. I have to honour the contract I signed,” Nwabali told Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.

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Nwabali's stance means he will finally be available at the end of this South African Premier Division campaign, opening the door for European clubs who see him as a proven, late-blooming option.

Stanley Nwabali reveals World Cup frustration

Nwabali, now Nigeria’s undisputed No.1, admitted the Super Eagles fell short in their 2026 World Cup qualification push.

The three-time African champions could only manage a lame 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein with South Africa on Tuesday, three days after beating Rwanda 1-0 in Uyo. The two results left the Super Eagles third in Group C with just two matches left, six points behind leaders South Africa.

With Nigeria staring at the possibility of missing out on another FIFA World Cup, Nwabali is convinced that it is a self-inflicted failure.

“We (as a team) should have made more effort to qualify for the World Cup. We left it very late,” Nwabali said.

“We have an AFCON to prepare for and I hope we take that very seriously. The rest of Africa is coming up and we should not expect easy games on the continent anymore. We must prepare properly if we want to win and qualify for tournaments.”

Nwabali revealed he was carrying a swollen ankle during September’s qualifiers, including the South Africa clash, and also addressed his altercation with Rwanda in Uyo.

“Yes, I was not in a good mood during that game because of the way some of the Rwandan players were behaving towards me. I was quite upset about it,” he admitted.

Without VAR, his angry reaction escaped what could have been a red card.

Nwabali previously featured for a number of Nigerian clubs including Wikki Tourists, Enyimba, and Katsina United before leaving for Chippa United in 2022.