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By: Ebenezer Bajela
Clubs have been handed a major boost ahead of the summer transfer window after a South African publication, Soccer Luduma, reported that Nigeria international, Stanley Nwabali, is set to become a free agent after the goalkeeper refused to put pen to a new deal, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nwabali has less than three months on his current contract with Chippa United but the 27-year-old will be available as a free agent come the end of the season.
The Nigerian goalkeeper is in his second year with Chippa, having joined the South African club in October 2022 after leaving Nigeria Premier Football League side, Katsina United.
Before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January, Nwabali was not a popular figure among fans in Nigeria, but following impressive performances at the continental showpiece, the Port Harcourt-born shot-stopper became an instant cult figure.
He has since been linked with moves to English Championship outfit, Queens Park Rangers, Belgium club, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Saudi’s El-Ettifaq and South African giants, Kaiser Chiefs.
Nwabali previously claimed he hadn’t received offers from any local or foreign club as he returned to Chippa after the AFCON to help the club advance to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
He told FARPost, “You see, to be honest, I’ve never seen anything on my table since AFCON. Maybe those clubs might have spoken to my team or my manager. But at this point, we can’t do anything.
“And they can’t approach me because it would be unprofessional. They must go to my club or my manager. So, I don’t know if there’s something on the table, maybe waiting for summer or transfer window. You know most clubs always do this. When they show interest, you’re opening the way to some other clubs.
“So, some people always keep it a secret, and when they get you, they get you once. For now, I know nothing.”
It, however, appears that he is preparing himself for a potential move to Europe in the summer, having refused to sign a contract extension with Chippa United.
Meanwhile, the club have already turned attention to Ghana’s Richard Ofori as a possible replacement.
Just as Nwabali, Ofori’s contract with Orlando Pirates is set to expire at the end of the season and it is expected that he will move on.