Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali says he is not keen on moving to Europe or PSL top side Kaizer Chiefs just yet.
The former Lobi Stars of Nigeria shot-stopper was in goal for the national team at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations and played a major role in Nigeria's run to the final where they eventually lost to the hosts Ivory Coast.
The 27-year-old kept four clean sheets en route to to the Nations Cup final. He also bagged a man of the match award against South Africa in the semi finals.
That performance against the country where he plies his trade resulted in some tense moments, and Nwabali was even advised by some not to return to the Mzansi because he single-handedly denied the nation a place in the final.
The Chippa United player made saves not just from open play, he also made two crucial penalty saves in the shoot out as Nigeria secured a 4-2 victory in the city of Bouake, Ivory Coast.
Nwabali not listening to other offers
Speaking on his return to Nigeria from the AFCON, Nwabali who has been dubbed as ‘the man of the moment' declared his readiness to return to his South African club Chippa United where he is soundly supported and quelled any talks of moving out.
“People have been sending messages like they want me to move to Europe or they want me to move to a bigger club in the PSL,” Nwabali said in a chat with Arise News.
“I really appreciate that, but to be honest, one thing about me is that I always feel comfortable even if I’m in a small place; I don’t like to rush, I usually wait for the nice ones,” Nwabali stated.
Nwabali played down threats against returning to South Africa
Before the semi-final match up against Hugo Broos' side, Nwabali had received strong support from the Chippa United club chairman Siviwe Mpengesi.
Although he received some threats due to his penalty heroics against Bafana Bafana, Nwabali insisted that they were all just outbursts of emotions and the threats should not be seriously considered.
“I must go back to my club, but talking about the threats, this is football, you can’t threaten someone because they also won against some other teams too.
“How about if those they beat decided to keep threatening their players, would it make sense? It’s football, I don’t think there’s anything attached to it. Maybe it was just someone writing on social media. It’s cool to me because I spoke to my [Chippa United] chairman and he didn't mention anything like all that stuff.
So, he felt like, ‘No, it’s cool, you can come back’ and I must go back to my club because they own me.”
Nigeria's defeat in the final has added to the list of near-misses in the history of the competition for the country but a lot of positives can still be garnered from the competition.
One of such positives is Nwabali who is primed for a bigger move this summer away from Chippa United. The goalkeeper who narrowly missed out on the AFCON best goalkeeper award will hope to continue his rich vein of form for his Mzansi side till the end of the season.
