Chippa United Coach Breaks Silence on Stanley Nwabali's Surprise Exit
Chippa United head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has publicly addressed the recent departure of Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from the South African Premiership club, emphatically stating that he played no part in the decision-making process. The Super Eagles shot-stopper mutually terminated his contract with the Chilli Boyz last week, ending a four-year association that saw him rise to become club captain and first-choice goalkeeper.
Coach Vilakazi Expresses Disappointment but Maintains Distance from Negotiations
Vilakazi admitted that Nwabali's exit represents a significant blow to his squad, particularly coming so soon after the goalkeeper's impressive performances for Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The 29-year-old's stock has never been higher following his commanding displays in the continental tournament, making his departure from Chippa United all the more surprising to observers.
"It is a blow for us, looking at how Stanley did in Morocco. He's a super keeper, but obviously with his decisions, I'm not involved in that," Vilakazi told FAR Post, making his position clear.
The coach explained that the entire negotiation process was conducted directly between Nwabali and the club chairman, completely bypassing his involvement. By the time the decision reached him, the matter had already been settled between the two parties.
"So it was a discussion between him and the chairman, and they've agreed. I will only work with people who are in the system," Vilakazi added, indicating his acceptance of the situation while distancing himself from the proceedings.
Stanley Nwabali's Meteoric Rise in African Football
Nwabali joined Chippa United in 2022 and steadily developed into one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the South African top flight. His consistent performances and exceptional shot-stopping abilities eventually earned him a call-up to the Nigerian national team, where he established himself as first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Maduka Okoye.
The goalkeeper's reputation reached new heights during AFCON 2025, where he played a crucial role in Nigeria's campaign and left the tournament with his value at an all-time peak. Over the past year, he had been linked with several prominent clubs across Africa, including:
- Raja Casablanca of Morocco
- Orlando Pirates of South Africa
- Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa
Despite this interest, previous transfer negotiations failed to materialize, keeping Nwabali at Chippa United until last week's surprising development.
What Lies Ahead for the Free Agent Goalkeeper
With his contract now terminated, Stanley Nwabali officially enters the transfer market as a free agent, giving him considerable flexibility in choosing his next destination. Reports indicate that several African heavyweights have already expressed interest in securing his services, including:
- Simba SC of Tanzania
- Raja Casablanca of Morocco
- Potential clubs from outside the African continent
At 29 years old, Nwabali is entering what should be the prime years of his goalkeeping career. His outstanding AFCON 2025 performances have made him one of the hottest prospects in the current transfer market. A move to a more prominent club would offer him the opportunity to compete for major trophies and perform regularly at a higher competitive level.
Interestingly, Nwabali has previously denied having any pre-arranged agreement with another club before requesting to leave Chippa United, claiming he currently has no concrete offers on the table. This suggests that his next move remains open to negotiation as he evaluates his options in the coming weeks.
The situation presents both challenges and opportunities for Chippa United as well, as they must now identify a suitable replacement for their departed captain and first-choice goalkeeper while continuing their campaign in the South African Premiership.
