National Teams
AFCON 2023: Chippa United drums support for Nigeria and Nwabali over South Africa
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side, Chippa United are backing Nigeria goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali against South Africa in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday.
PSL club chairman Siviwe Chippa Mpengensi and by extension, the South African club in a letter has declared their support the Super Eagles and its first chioce goalkeeper Nwabali to silence Bafana Bafana in Bouake.
Nwabali has been attracting attention since the beginning of the tournament after helping the team to the semi-final with four straight clean sheets which has attracted the support of his club back in South Africa.
“As the Chairman of Chippa United and a proud South African, I find myself in a unique position during this 2023 AFCON tournament in that our very own Nigerian international, Stanley Nwabali has been a revelation,” Mpengensi stated in a letter.
“His performance for the Nigerian national team has caught the eyes of the globe, earning him and our club international acclaim.
“With Stanley’s rising profile and the international attention it brings to Chippa United FC, the benefits have been nothing but positive.
“I and Chippa United stand behind our player, Stanley Nwabali, and the Nigerian Super Eagles against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana. We wish the Super Eagles all the best.”
Nwabali is the first Super Eagles goalkeeper to keep four straight clean sheets at any international football tournament.
He will hope to extend the record against Bafana Bafana with the support coming from Chippa United.