Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Greg Etafia has called on the Nigerian football community to rally behind embattled national team first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali during his current difficult period.
Nwabali Without a Club After Chippa United Exit
Nwabali has been without a club since he unexpectedly announced his departure from Chippa United following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in February. The 29-year-old has missed two consecutive international windows for the Super Eagles, being left out of the squads for the Unity Cup and June friendlies, as confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation.
Many Nigerians have criticised the goalkeeper for the timing of his departure from the South African club, especially after he admitted he had no offers lined up before quitting. This decision may have cost him his place in the national team, particularly with the emergence of Arthur Okonkwo, who recently switched his international allegiance, and Maduka Okoye, who enjoyed a brilliant season with Udinese after excusing himself from the AFCON squad.
Etafia Calls for Inclusion in Unity Cup Squad
Etafia, who spent the majority of his career in South Africa and has been seen training with Nwabali as the goalkeeper awaits his next club, has urged the country not to abandon the Rivers-born star. “Every player wants to play, and Nwabali isn’t different from that,” Etafia told Brila FM. “Unfortunately, things happened to him at Chippa; he is a free agent now. There are lots of clubs looking at him.”
The former Nigerian international further stated that he expected head coach Eric Chelle to include Nwabali in the Unity Cup squad as a reward for his past service. “I think the goalkeeper coach and the head coach should have called up Nwabali to train with the team for the Unity Cup because of what he has done in the past,” he added. “Even if he is not among the first three goalkeepers, make him the fourth one to come to camp. He knows he isn’t going to play official games with the team, but the training will help him a lot.”
Future Prospects and Club Links
The 43-year-old Etafia expressed confidence that Nwabali will secure a club next season and reclaim his number one spot, despite Chelle having multiple goalkeeping options. Nwabali has been linked to several clubs, including South African giants Kaizer Chiefs and Tanzanian side Simba SC, though none of those moves materialised. Reports in African media suggest he has offers for next season from clubs in England and Saudi Arabia, but no specific teams have been named.
In a contrasting view, former Nigerian international Duke Udi previously warned Chelle against inviting Nwabali to the national team while he remains clubless, insisting that invitations should be based on merit, citing Senegal as an example.
