Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has given reasons why many West African players are desperate to travel abroad to ply their trade compared to players in South Africa and the northern part of the continent. Saturday PUNCH References.
The 27-year-old started his career in the Nigerian Premier League with Go Round FC before joining Wikki Tourists in 2019. After just one season with Wikki Tourists, he moved to Enyimba where he spent another solitary season.
After spells with Lobi Stars and Katsina United, the Eagles goalkeeper moved to South Africa where he joined Chippa United in 2022.
Just two years into the DStv Premiership, Nwabali quickly rose to prominence and was called up to the national team by former Eagles coach Jose Peseiro for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast early this year.
Nwabali was instrumental in helping Nigeria reach the AFCON final where they fell to hosts Ivory Coast.
In a recent interview with a South African publication, FARPost, Nwabali, having spent two seasons in South Africa, was asked about the reasons behind the lesser number of South African footballers playing in Europe compared to West Africa.
βRonwen Williams is at Sundowns, he gets what he wants, he has the name, the sponsor, his family is here, everyone supports him, he is the captain of Bafana Bafana and the league is fine. The league, the pay is a bit better depending on the level of your team,β Nwabali said
βIn West Africa, our leagues are not that good. We want to go to Europe, we want to come to South Africa, we want to go to Morocco, all these leagues, if your league is nice, there is no point in leaving. If your league is nice, you get paid, you get sponsors, what do you do?”