Chippa United and Nigerian international goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has emerged as one of the sought-after players following his exploits at the recent Africa Cup of Nations. After helping the Super Eagles finish second at the tournament, having played all the matches, the shot-stopper has been linked with a number of clubs both locally and abroad. Prior to leaving for Ivory Coast, Nwabali was linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs following his standout performances for the Chilli Boys. However, indications are that Amakhosi are no longer interested in pursuing the player's signature as the Siya crew finds out from sources. Orlando Pirates is also in the race for the player's signature as the Siya crew is looking at the possible options for the end of the season move for the towering netminder.
What the Siya crew has been told…
Kaizer Chiefs appear to no longer be interested in signing Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and are likely to pull out of the race for his signature, the Siya crew has been informed. With Itumeleng Khune unlikely to have his Chiefs contract extended when it expires in June, Nwabali has been one of the players that the Soweto giants have been following with a possibility to sign as a replacement for the former Bafana Bafana keeper. However, after playing well at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast where he helped Nigeria to reach the final, Nwabali's value skyrocketed as per his employer Chippa's evaluation. According to close sources, the Chilli Boys have put a whopping R30 million price tag on the player's head.
"It is no secret that Chiefs have been assessing options for a goalkeeper to potentially join the club next season. Stanley Nwabali is one of the players that the club has been monitoring and they had hoped to lure him in the same way they did with Daniel Akpeyi a few seasons ago," said the source.
"But there seems to be a problem as Chippa are looking to cash in on the player after he did so well at Afcon. He is their prized asset. The club is looking for around R30 million for him and at that value not many clubs will be able to afford him, especially in South Africa. The good thing for Chiefs is that Bruce Bvuma has been doing well of late, and there's also Brandon Petersen waiting in the queue for his chance. Both players recently signed contract extensions and Chiefs may just decide to look for someone who's going to be a back-up in their goalkeeper search – a youngster," the source said.
Well-placed sources have suggested that Chippa isn't willing to lower the price on the 27-year-old and may listen to offers from outside of Mzansi as well in the next transfer window to make as much money as they possibly can. Following the Afcon, Chippa made their intentions clear about Nwabali when they offered him a two-year contract extension.
"Chippa are confident that they will get the best deal possible for Nwabali. He proved his worth during Afcon and soon after coming back they invited his agent for talks over a new contract. The talks were successful, and the parties agreed on a deal to 2026 at least," said the source.
Orlando Pirates are understood to also be monitoring the situation as they are one of the clubs expected to reshuffle their goalkeeping department at the end of the season.
"You must understand that Pirates and Chippa enjoy a good working relationship and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. That's why there was a deal for Thabiso Lebitso from Chippa to Pirates recently, as well as that of Bienvenu Eva Nga from Pirates to Chippa. There is also Goodman Mosele who is on loan at Chippa, and more deals are likely to happen between the two clubs at the end of the season," the source said.
What are the facts?
After a slow start at Chippa as he was still adjusting to life in Mzansi and wasn't playing regularly when he arrived from Nigeria's Katsina United FC, Nwabali managed to force his way up to being one of the top goalkeepers in the league. This season, the netminder has kept eight clean sheets in 18 league matches and is second on the charts to Mamelodi Sundowns' Ronwen Williams who is on 11 clean sheets in 15 appearances. Nwabali has also helped Chippa to progress to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup after his appearance in the Last 16.
During Afcon, he played all the matches as the Super Eagles came close to winning the tournament. Following the success of the Afcon, Nwabali was conferred with a chieftaincy title by His Royal Majesty, Nzeobi Amida, who is the ruler of the Mgbede community in Egbema Kingdom in Rivers State, as a sign of appreciation for his efforts.
The shot-stopper was earlier gifted a N20 million (+/-260 000) by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara for his rise to stardom. Following Nwabali's Man of the Match performance against Bafana Bafana in the semifinals of Afcon, Chippa chairman Siviwe Mpengesi had this to say in a statement, in part, "The club wishes to extend its congratulations to Stanley Nwabali for his extraordinary achievement in reaching the Afcon final and for also earning the Man of the Match award. Our support for you remains steadfast. You have represented the Chippa United brand admirably and we are immensely proud of you. We will be rooting for you in the final against Ivory Coast on Sunday."
The Story Behind The Scenes
Chiefs opt to groom their own?
With the signing of Nwabali appearing to be unlikely, Chiefs could opt to look in house for a backup goalkeeper, with the likes of Karabo Molefe (21) and Takalani Mazhamba (16) being some of the players that are groomed in the club's development.
Both youngsters are talented and have had coaches in the development predicting a bright future for them. Just like Bruce Bvuma, who came through the junior ranks in Naturena and worked his way to be the number one that he is at present, Molefe and Mazhamba are seen as good investments for the club for seasons to come.
With Bvuma enjoying improved form and Brandon Petersen being an equally capable keeper, Chiefs may see no need to bring another experienced goalkeeper irrespective of what the future holds for Itumeleng Khune. In eight league appearances this season, Bvuma has kept six clean sheets and conceded just four as he continues to prove that he is ready to be the club's number one. Interestingly, three of the four goals were conceded in one match, against Orlando Pirates in the recent 3-2 Soweto derby loss.
Another bumper Pirates and Chippa deal loading?
With sources hinting on a possible transfer of at least three players from Pirates to Chippa at the end of the season, there could be one or two others going the opposite direction. Pirates are expected to reshuffle their goalkeeping department at the end of the season, with the experienced duo of Siyabonga Mpontshane and Richard Ofori said to be facing uncertain future due to their lack of game time and their contracts that are nearing an end. Nwabali has had his name mentioned regarding a potential move to the Buccaneers, according to well-placed sources. With the likes of Craig Martin, Bienvenu Eva Nga and Goodman Mosele (on loan) having moved to the Chilli Boys from Bucs in recent times, the two clubs are said to be looking at concluding further deals soon and Nwabali could be the next player to join the Soweto giants following in the footsteps of Thabiso Lebitso whose move was concluded in January.
Overseas move not being ruled out
While Nwabali has been linked with both Soweto giants, the player's camp is said to be having even bigger plans about possibly striking a deal overseas. The keeper's exploits at Afcon were enough to earn him interest from Europe and the Middle East, according to informants. Having managed to cement his place as the Super Eagles' number one, Nwabali will jump at the opportunity to test himself overseas like many of his teammates in the national team. When he came to Mzansi, the keeper had planned to use the PSL as a gateway to Europe and, based on his form, he is on the right track.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"When he first arrived in South Africa, nothing much was known about Nwabali, and he had to prove himself. He did so successfully and not only at Chippa but at national team level too. He played so well at the Africa Cup of Nations and kept some clean sheets and was watched by the entire continent and the world. As an agent, you use those stats and records to market the player. He has done well for Chippa but if it was for me, I would advise that he leaves for greener pastures now that he is on form. He's got a contract with Chippa and therefore any move would have to be agreed to by the chairman. But knowing the chairman, he is someone who doesn't stand in a player's way and allowing Stanley or any other player to leave for greener pastures shouldn't be a problem for him. For me, the talk of an overseas move is more interesting than a local one and I think that's where the focus should be in the search for greener pastures."
Watch This Space
The next few weeks will be crucial for Nwabali and his camp in deciding the future after the player proved himself both at club and national team level. Chippa is a club that doesn't stand in a player's way when an opportunity to grow arises and there should be no difference in Nwabali's situation even after he recently signed a new contract. The Chilli Boys did it with Nwabali's predecessors in Daniel Akpeyi and Veli Mothwa who were sold to Chiefs and AmaZulu respectively when enquiries were made on them, and the Super Eagles shot-stopper could be the next in line. In June, Nwabali will be turning 28 and he could feel that it is the right time to move for him to grow personally and professionally. However, it may need Chippa to lower their asking price for any deal to happen as R30 million may not be afforded by many clubs.
