Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Photo: Super Eagles
Former Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has said Stanley Nwabali’s return to South African side, Chippa United, could pave the way for the goalkeeper’s recall to the national team, insisting that a lack of regular club football was the primary reason for his absence from Eric Chelle’s squad.
Nwabali established himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, helping the Super Eagles reach the final, and remained the team’s number one through the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where his performances helped Nigeria secure a record-extending ninth bronze medal. However, he has not featured for the national team since leaving Chippa United by mutual consent in February, missing Nigeria’s victorious 2026 Unity Cup campaign and subsequent friendlies against Poland and Portugal, with Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo and Maduka Okoye all featuring in his absence.
Akpeyi told FARPost that Nwabali’s proven quality for the Super Eagles should count in his favour once he returns to form.
“He has been excellent, absolutely excellent. Faultless for Nigeria. He has taken them to places. He performed consistently well for the Super Eagles. A lot can change in a season. Football is so fluid.
