Former CAF Appeal Committee Vice President, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam has warned Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali not to return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
The former CAF executive warned the Super Eagles goalkeeper against going back to Chippa United following his stunning role against South Africa.
According to Uchegbulam, there may be unseen dangers lurking in the South African football scene that could pose a threat to Nwabali's career and well-being.
What happened?
The warning came after Nwabali's heroic performance in the AFCON semi-final match against South Africa, where he saved two penalties in the shootout to secure a 4-2 victory for the Super Eagles.
Following his outstanding performance, especially in the shootout, Nwabali was named Man of the Match.
Afterward, Amanze Uchegbulam voiced his concerns about the potential disaster that could befall Nwabali if he decides to return to play for his club in South Africa.
Uchegbulam's advice to Nwabali is to avoid going back to Chippa United in the PSL, urging him to seek opportunities in a different league.
Had Bafana Bafana made it to the final, it would have been their third time in history and a chance to secure the Gold for the first time since 1996.
However, Nwabali's nice save denied them of that as they failed to reach the final hurdle and instead won the third-place battle against DR Congo to secure the Bronze.
Despite their success, some South Africans are unhappy with Nwabali, who plays in the Premier Soccer League.
According to Uchegbulam, it seems that some people are still bitter that Nwabali prevented them from reaching the final, with rumors that he could face backlash when he returns to Chippa United after the AFCON spectacle in Abidjan.
"The feelers I’m getting from South Africa regarding Nwabali are not encouraging and I want to advise that he should not go back to Chippa United after the Afcon," the Nigeria football administrator told the Nation Sports.
Even though Chippa United expressed their silent support for Nwabali before the semi-final match, Uchegbulam stated that the club's position is different from the negative fans on the streets.
He added that the former Enyimba goalkeeper can wait a while before returning to South Africa after the 2023 Cote d’Ivoire Afcon tournament.
He said: "Some would say it was just football but the signals I’m getting from South Africa about Nwabali are not so positive.
"If possible, he can forget going back to Chippa United and train with any of our top clubs either Enyimba United or Rivers United before he can find a new club.
"That is my honest advice and I hope he takes it."
What's next?
It's no surprise that Nwabali is attracting interest from top clubs after his outstanding performances in Ivory Coast.
His ability to keep four clean sheets has caught the attention of top clubs, according to reports.
Reliable sources confirm that Nwabali could be on the move in the next transfer window as he weighs up his options outside of the Chilli Boys.
The 27-year-old may be considering a move away from the club in the upcoming transfer window, with Kaizer Chiefs among the teams rumored to be interested in signing the Nigerian goalkeeper.
The former CAF executive warned the Super Eagles goalkeeper against going back to Chippa United following his stunning role against South Africa.
According to Uchegbulam, there may be unseen dangers lurking in the South African football scene that could pose a threat to Nwabali's career and well-being.
What happened?
The warning came after Nwabali's heroic performance in the AFCON semi-final match against South Africa, where he saved two penalties in the shootout to secure a 4-2 victory for the Super Eagles.
Following his outstanding performance, especially in the shootout, Nwabali was named Man of the Match.
Afterward, Amanze Uchegbulam voiced his concerns about the potential disaster that could befall Nwabali if he decides to return to play for his club in South Africa.
Uchegbulam's advice to Nwabali is to avoid going back to Chippa United in the PSL, urging him to seek opportunities in a different league.
Had Bafana Bafana made it to the final, it would have been their third time in history and a chance to secure the Gold for the first time since 1996.
However, Nwabali's nice save denied them of that as they failed to reach the final hurdle and instead won the third-place battle against DR Congo to secure the Bronze.
Despite their success, some South Africans are unhappy with Nwabali, who plays in the Premier Soccer League.
According to Uchegbulam, it seems that some people are still bitter that Nwabali prevented them from reaching the final, with rumors that he could face backlash when he returns to Chippa United after the AFCON spectacle in Abidjan.
"The feelers I’m getting from South Africa regarding Nwabali are not encouraging and I want to advise that he should not go back to Chippa United after the Afcon," the Nigeria football administrator told the Nation Sports.
Even though Chippa United expressed their silent support for Nwabali before the semi-final match, Uchegbulam stated that the club's position is different from the negative fans on the streets.
He added that the former Enyimba goalkeeper can wait a while before returning to South Africa after the 2023 Cote d’Ivoire Afcon tournament.
He said: "Some would say it was just football but the signals I’m getting from South Africa about Nwabali are not so positive.
"If possible, he can forget going back to Chippa United and train with any of our top clubs either Enyimba United or Rivers United before he can find a new club.
"That is my honest advice and I hope he takes it."
What's next?
It's no surprise that Nwabali is attracting interest from top clubs after his outstanding performances in Ivory Coast.
His ability to keep four clean sheets has caught the attention of top clubs, according to reports.
Reliable sources confirm that Nwabali could be on the move in the next transfer window as he weighs up his options outside of the Chilli Boys.
The 27-year-old may be considering a move away from the club in the upcoming transfer window, with Kaizer Chiefs among the teams rumored to be interested in signing the Nigerian goalkeeper.