Chippa United head coach Brandon Truter has praised Stanley Nwabali after the Super Eagles goalkeeper played a key role in helping the Chilli Boys win the second Annual Eastern Cape Pre-Season Tournament in South Africa, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chippa lifted the trophy on Sunday after beating Motsepe Foundation Championship side Highbury FC 4-2 on penalties following a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Mthatha Stadium. The Chilli Boys had taken a 1-0 lead before halftime, but Highbury fought back in the second half to level the score and force an immediate penalty shootout, with no extra time played.
Nwabali, who recently returned to Chippa United after a five-month break from the club, produced a crucial save during the shootout as his teammates converted their penalties to seal the title. It was his second appearance since rejoining the club and his first penalty shootout victory following his return.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper had already marked his comeback with a clean sheet in Saturday's 1-0 semifinal victory over Ravens FC. Although he conceded his first goal since returning in the final, his calm presence and decisive stop from the spot helped Chippa secure silverware before the start of the 2026-27 Betway Premiership campaign.
Truter backs Nwabali ahead of new season
Truter, who took charge of Chippa United with only one league game remaining last season, believes having Nwabali between the posts gave his side a major advantage when the final was decided from the penalty spot.
“With Stanley Nwabali in goal, one of Africa's best, I knew he'd make a save to help us win,” Truter said as per the Herald.
The coach also praised his squad's display throughout the tournament after victories over Ravens FC in the semifinal and Highbury in the final.
“This was a good tournament. Im surprised by the guys' output and the structure over which we had complete control.
“I mean, even the goal came from nowhere in a sense; we were focused on the substitution, they put the goal in the box, and we conceded from there.”But other than that, the game was controlled; it was mature, the same as their early game as well.”So it gives me a headache going into next week.
“I think everybody really performed and showed up in this tournament. It was a good tournament.
“Kanu [Vusumuzi Vilakazi] is a good coach. He assembled a good team; they gave us a run for our money, so I am confident that they will perform well in the league.”
Truter admitted the strong performances across the squad have made team selection difficult ahead of Chippa United's Betway Premiership opener against Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu next Saturday.
Nwabali's successful return is another positive sign for both Chippa United, with a rich Nigerian connection, and the Super Eagles. The 29-year-old rejoined the club in mid-July after ending a difficult five-month absence that followed the tragic loss of his mother, father and grandmother within two months.
After potential moves to Europe failed to materialise during the summer transfer window, the Super Eagles goalkeeper chose to restart his career in familiar surroundings. Judging by his immediate return to the starting lineup and his match-winning contribution in Mthatha, he looks set to begin the new season as Chippa United's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper once again.
