By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 25, 2025

Chippa United head coach Luc Eymael has suggested that all may not be well between the club and captain Stanley Nwabali after the Nigerian goalkeeper was absent in the 2-1 defeat to Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Super Eagles’ number one, who has been the subject of strong transfer interest since his standout performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, did not feature in Sunday’s match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Nwabali, 29, has previously indicated that he wants to leave the South African side for Europe, though he also stressed that he intends to respect his current contract. His absence has now added to growing speculation over his future.

Eymael declined to go into detail when asked about the player’s omission, but admitted it was a matter that needed to be addressed at the highest level of the club.

“One important player was not there today. So it’s a problem that we have to solve,” Eymael told reporters.

He said he planned to hold talks with chairman Siviwe Mpengesi about the team’s direction, with Chippa currently bottom of the league after one win, one draw and five defeats from their opening fixtures.

“I must speak very frankly with my chairman. We are together to try to take Chippa out of the hole,” the coach said.

“I can’t talk about that. I prefer not to discuss it with the media. Firstly, we need to resolve the issue with the chairman. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way it is. Sometimes it happens in football. But it’s okay, you give a chance to other players.”

He added that the rest of the squad now had to seize the opportunity. “We have to work, and they have to take a chance. It’s important that everybody wants to play for Chippa United.”

The comments come amid growing certainty that Nwabali is set to leave the club. The goalkeeper confirmed earlier this month that he intends to move to Europe at the end of the season.

“I would like to be in Europe now. But I have a contract with my current club, who were not prepared to let me go. I have to honour the contract I signed,” Nwabali told Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein.

Nwabali joined Chippa United in 2022 after spells with Wikki Tourists, Enyimba and Katsina United in the NPFL. He has since become Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, earning widespread recognition for his saves during the 2023 AFCON, particularly in the semi-final shootout victory over South Africa.

The South African transfer window closed on September 22, meaning Nwabali will see out the campaign with Chippa, but his long-expected departure now appears inevitable.

Source Punch Ng

Posted September 25, 2025

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