Good news for clubs looking to bolster their goalkeeping options: Nigerian international Stanley Nwabali is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.
The 27-year-old currently plays for South African club Chippa United, but with less than three months remaining on his contract, negotiations for an extension haven’t yielded results. Nwabali has reportedly chosen not to re-sign, making him a free agent come season’s end.
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This past January’s Africa Cup of Nations marked a turning point for Nwabali. While previously not a household name in Nigeria, his impressive performances at the continental tournament transformed him into a national hero.
Nwabali’s newfound fame has attracted interest from several clubs. Reports suggest he’s been linked to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Saudi Arabia’s El-Ettifaq, and South African giants Kaiser Chiefs.
It’s interesting to note that Nwabali himself previously denied receiving any offers after returning to Chippa United following the AFCON. However, his decision against signing a new contract opens the door for a potential transfer this summer.
With his talent and newfound popularity, Nwabali is sure to be a target for teams seeking a reliable goalkeeper in the upcoming transfer window.
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.
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“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.
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