Stanley Nwabali says his main goal is to help Chippa United win points rather than worry about whether he will return to the Super Eagles, Footynaija reports.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper is back at the Eastern Cape club after about six months without competitive football. He has played twice in the new Betway Premiership season and is preparing for Monday’s match against Orlando Pirates at Kings Park Stadium.
Nwabali returned to Chippa United after leaving the club following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His search for a new challenge did not go as planned and left him without a club for several months.
Talks with Chippa United chairman Siviwe Mpengesi helped bring the goalkeeper back. Nwabali says he has no regrets about the decision.
“I feel positive coming back to the club, not just for me but also for the team. The relationship and the agreement is all good. I just want the team to succeed this season,” Nwabali told SabcSports.
“Coming back to this club feels like I’m coming back to my family and my home, and I’m really happy to be back on the pitch, doing what I love.”
His return has started well. Nwabali kept a clean sheet in Chippa United’s opening league game and made six saves to win the Man of the Match award.
His club form is also important for his international future. Nwabali became Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper after the 2023 AFCON, where he saved two penalties in the semi-final shootout against South Africa.
He was also named Man of the Match against Egypt at the 2025 AFCON after saving penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as Nigeria won bronze.
Maduka Okoye has since strengthened his challenge for the Nigeria shirt, but Nwabali is refusing to make the race his priority.
“I’m not really worried about that one, I’m only focused on helping my club pick up as many points as possible. So for now I’m not too worried about the national team.”
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