Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has backed the decision of current Super Eagles number one goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to leave South African side Chippa United, www.aclsports.com exclusively reports.
Nwabali, 29, who excelled with the Super Eagles as they finished third at the last AFCON in Morocco, decided to leave the Chillis by mutual consent on Thursday. The former Enyimba goalkeeper is now a free agent and is on the lookout for another club.
Speaking exclusively to ACLSports, Akpeyi, who rose to prominence at Chippa United before his move to Kaizer Chiefs, praised Nwabali’s performances at the Gqeberha-based club, stating that the goalkeeper has impressed with the side and described him as an outstanding shot-stopper.
”There is always that time for players to transit, and I think it is just that time for Stanley Nwabali to leave,” Akpeyi told www.aclsports.com in a chat.
”He [Nwabali] has made his impact in the team, he has been very instrumental to the team, and he has been a great goalkeeper. However, there is a new coach in the team; the way he is leaving, I don’t know if it is the best way for him to leave. I don’t think the time is just right for him, but I trust him to know better and sort things out with his agent.
Akpeyi went further to add that the former Enyimba goalkeeper’s absence will be felt at Chippa, and believes that with his quality, he would get a bigger side to play for in the future.
”Nwabali’s absence will be felt at Chippa, and I just hope he made the right decision. With his quality and what he has done so far, he will always have a bigger side to go to. We look forward to seeing the best of him in the future,” Akpeyi added.
Reflecting on Nwabali’s spell with the Super Eagles, Akpeyi described him as mentally strong, noting that he has been able to endure the pressure and criticism while continuing to deliver for the team—unlike others who struggled to cope under similar scrutiny.
”He has improved so much from where he started to where he is now. There is 100% improvement from his side. As usual, you will have those days when you will be criticised positively and negatively. It is all part of the game. He is one of those goalkeepers in the national team fortunate to go through the challenges and are still there. Others did not survive it, but he is a strong-minded person, and he was able to stand his ground and get all the support he needed. He is still going strong.
”I think we are still looking forward to seeing the best of him in the national team. He has done well so far for the country. He carried the country in the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as the one in Morocco this year. He has proven himself in the national team, and he is enjoying his reward. We look forward to seeing the best of him in the coming years,” Akpeyi concluded.
Nwabali, who was on the radar of Raja last summer, has been linked with a move to Simba SC of Tanzania, but it remains to be seen where he will be playing club football in the coming weeks.
