CHIPPA United head coach Luc Eymael has dropped the strongest hint yet that all is not well between the club and captain Stanley Nwabali, after the Nigerian goalkeeper was left out of Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nwabali, 29, who rose to international prominence as Nigeria’s number one during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, has been heavily linked with a transfer to Europe following his heroic displays for the Super Eagles.
His absence at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium has now intensified speculation about his imminent departure from the struggling South African side, who are bottom of the league table after just one win in seven games.
Speaking after the match, Eymael refused to go into detail about Nwabali’s omission but conceded it was a matter that required urgent intervention from the club’s hierarchy.
“One important player was not there today. So it’s a problem that we have to solve,” Eymael told reporters.
The Belgian tactician added that he planned to meet with chairman Siviwe Mpengesi to discuss the goalkeeper’s situation and the club’s poor run of results.
“I must speak very frankly with my chairman. We are together to try to take Chippa out of the hole.
I can’t talk about that [Nwabali]. I prefer not to discuss it with the media. Firstly, we need to resolve the issue with the chairman. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way it is. Sometimes it happens in football. But it’s okay, you give a chance to other players.”
Eymael insisted that the rest of the squad must seize the opportunity created by Nwabali’s absence.
“We have to work, and they have to take a chance. It’s important that everybody wants to play for Chippa United,” he said.
The goalkeeper has openly admitted his desire to move to Europe, though he has stressed that he intends to respect his existing contract with Chippa.
In an interview with Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana earlier this month, Nwabali confirmed:
“I would like to be in Europe now. But I have a contract with my current club, who were not prepared to let me go. I have to honour the contract I signed.”
With the South African transfer window closed on September 22, Nwabali will remain at Chippa until the end of the current season. However, his long-anticipated move abroad now appears inevitable.
Nwabali joined Chippa United in 2022 after spells in Nigeria with Wikki Tourists, Enyimba, and Katsina United. His stock rose dramatically during the 2023 AFCON, where he delivered match-winning performances, including decisive penalty saves in the semi-final shootout victory against South Africa.
Since then, he has become the Super Eagles’ undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and one of the most sought-after African players in his position.
While Nwabali’s future grabs headlines, Chippa United face mounting pressure in the league. The club has recorded just one win, one draw, and five defeats from their opening seven fixtures, a dismal run that has left them rooted to the bottom of the standings.
For Chippa, the uncertainty over their captain comes at the worst possible time. For Nwabali, it appears to be the beginning of the end of his chapter with the South African side, as Europe beckons.