Stanley Bobo Nwabali of Nigeria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final match between Nigeria and Cote dIvoire at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire on 11 February ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024. 14:14
Stanley Nwabali has played down rumours linking him with a move away from Chippa United, but he believes it is only a matter of time before a transfer materialises.
The Nigeria international has reportedly attracted widespread interest after starring at the recent 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Nwabali helped the Super Eagles reach the final, where they lost 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire, which was only the third and fourth goals he had conceded in the tournament.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper kept four successive clean sheets at the continental showpiece and narrowly missed out on the Golden Glove award to Ronwen Williams of South Africa.
He produced heroics against Bafana Bafana in the semi-finals, saving two penalties in the shootout as Jose Peseiro’s side won 4-2 to set up a rematch with the Elephants.
Nwabali revealed that Chilli Boys chairman Chippa Mpengesi had wished him well for his AFCON campaign and wants to repay that kindness, although he doesn’t think he’ll get the chance.
“I only see offers for me online, to be honest, I only see offers online, and some of my friends take screenshots, send them to me and say that offer is coming,” he said.
“But to be honest, I’ve never seen offers on my table, but you know when there are rumours, I wish all the rumours to come to pass.
“The chairman [Chippa Mpengesi] gave me a lot of reasons to work at AFCON because he sent me a lot of messages and even wished me well ahead of his own country.
“It’s something I didn’t believe; I asked myself why this man would do such a thing. I really appreciate him, and to be honest, I owe him a lot; people are saying Stanley must leave Chippa.
“I wish to work for him for another two years, but I don’t think that wish will come.”
