Nwabali Remains Hopeful Of Chippa Resurgence
Chippa United and Nigeria international goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has played down any assertions that his club side finds itself in a crisis, insisting that what the club is going through is normal in football.
Chippa currently find themselves at the bottom of the table in the Betway Premiership with seven points after 12 matches, with a solitary win to their name.
The side from the Eastern Cape province has had three managerial appointments this campaign, namely Sinethemba Badela, Luc Eymael, and current coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
“I am the captain of the club. What we are experiencing now is something that happens in football; what Chippa is experiencing now is not something that has never happened in football. Sometimes in a season you start badly, sometimes you start well. I feel like this season has not been good for the team, but I feel like I am giving the fans hope. We are going to get better,” said Nwabali.
The Chippa captain also reflected on his growth since his arrival on South African soil.
The 29-year-old has plied his trade in South Africa for more than three years, having joined Chilli Boyz from Nigerian club Katsina United in June 2022.
He played a star role as Nigeria reached the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast last year, where they lost to the Elephants
“I will not lie about it. It has been a nice feeling for me staying in South Africa. Let me go to my teammates; the way they talk to me, the way they have carried up until this time,” added the Nigerian goalkeeper.
Since he arrived in South Africa, the Nigerian has also asserted himself as his country’s number one, seeing off competition from the likes of Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye.
“South Africa has really been where I have enjoyed playing because they have really helped me back there in my country, even for my national team. I really appreciate how long I have stayed here, and I appreciate how everything has gone in my life,” concluded Nwabali.
Having conceded 20 goals in 12 matches across all competitions for his club, Nwabali was in goals as Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup playoffs at the neutral venue in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday.
Nigeria will now face DR Congo in the final in Morocco on Sunday.
The winners of that match will then progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be held in March and will determine the final two qualifiers for next year’s World Cup.
