The greatest surprise for supporters of Nigerian football in Ivory Coast came from the 27-year-old goalie. The goalkeeper for Chippa United, who made his Super Eagles debut, helped the three-time AFCON winners finish second in the AFCON 2023 final despite losing to the hosts. He kept four clean sheets in seven games. In the penalty shootout, Nwabali stopped Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa from twelve yards out, helping the Super Eagles defeat South Africa and advance to the AFCON 2023 championship game.
Several clubs overseas began to keep an eye on the former Enyimba International player after his outstanding performance at the largest African event.
The Saudi Arabian Al-Ettifaq, Kaizer Chiefs, Queens Park Rangers, and Royal Union Saint-Gilloise were reportedly interested in hiring the 1.96-meter-tall goalie.
Following Nwabali’s announcement that he won’t be extending his contract with the Chilli Boys this summer, as previously reported by Soccernet.ng, 1.97m tall goalie Siviwe Mpengesi, CEO of Chippa United, said that his team is in discussions with other football teams on Nwabali’s future.Numerous reports from the South African media state that Chippa United is asking for roughly £1.3 million (roughly R30 million, or ₦2.245 billion) in exchange for the sale of Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Kaizer Chiefs are unwilling to pay that sum, implying that Nwabali may transfer abroad, even though all of the other interested clubs think the asking price is reasonable. The Nigerian and Chippa United have a current contract that expires in the summer of 2026.
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