Nwabali confirms return to Chippa United amidst threat

Stanley Nwabali, the resilient goalkeeper of the Super Eagles, has affirmed his commitment to return to Chippa United post the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, despite swirling speculations about his future, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Following Nigeria's triumph over Bafana Bafana at the tournament, Nwabali found himself amidst threats from fans in South Africa, a situation fueled by his stellar performance, saving two crucial spot-kicks during the semi-final shoot-out that led to South Africa's elimination.

Addressing the concerning situation, Nwabali asserted, "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 other teams."

Reflecting on the nature of the sport, Nwabali added, "It’s football, I don’t think there’s anything attached to it. Maybe it was just someone writing on social media."

Assured by his club's support, Nwabali revealed via KickOff, "I spoke to my [Chippa United] chairman three days ago, but he didn’t say anything like all that stuff. So, he felt like, ‘No, it’s cool, you can come back’. I must go back to my club because they own me."

The goalkeeper's determination to honor his club obligations amidst challenges underscores the resilience and professionalism inherent in the beautiful game.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun