Chippa United coach confirms rift with captain Nwabali amid exit speculation

By Dayo Awoniyi

Chippa United head coach Luc Eymael has confirmed there are “internal issues” with club captain and Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, casting further doubt on the player’s future at the South African Premier Division side.

Nwabali, 28, was notably absent from the matchday squad as the Chilli Boys fell 2-1 to Polokwane City on Sunday, fueling speculation of unrest. When pressed about his omission, Eymael admitted to a fallout but declined to share full details.

“We have to deal with some internal issues that are happening. You saw that one important player [Nwabali] was not there today. It’s a problem we have to solve,” Eymael told reporters.

“I cannot talk about that; I prefer not to talk about it to the media. First, I think we have to solve the problem internally. It’s sad, but it happens in football sometimes.”

The Belgian tactician, however, stressed the situation creates an opportunity for other squad members.

“It gives a chance to other guys; they have to take the opportunity. What’s important is that everybody wants to play for Chippa United and move in the same direction.

“That’s the only way to take this team up, and I think we are capable of doing it,” he added.

Nwabali, who joined Chippa United from Katsina United in 2022, has grown into one of the team’s most influential figures and cemented his reputation as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper following his standout displays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Despite persistent links to top South African clubs and a recent approach from Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, he has remained at Chippa. But Eymael’s revelation has intensified speculation that the shot-stopper could be edging closer to an exit.

Chippa United face Sekhukhune United in their next league outing, with uncertainty now hanging over whether their captain will be restored to the lineup.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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