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Stanley Nwabali Opens Up on Grief, Admits He Has Considered Quitting Football After Losing Both Parents
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has shared an emotional account of the personal struggles he has faced following the loss of both his parents, admitting that the pain has at times made him consider walking away from football.
Speaking with ACL Sports, the Chippa United shot-stopper revealed that his mother passed away just two months after the death of his father, a devastating double loss that deeply affected him both personally and professionally.
“My mom died around two o’clock today,” Nwabali said, fighting back emotion. “So, on how I try to keep a lot of things to myself, try to move on, try to be a stronger guy I was.”
The goalkeeper explained that the weight of grief has been overwhelming, describing moments when continuing his career felt almost impossible.
“Most times I feel like quitting, you know? I feel like quitting because, yeah, you know, mom and dad—but my mom is so dear to me,” he added. “Really, it’s so painful, man. It’s really so painful to be talking about my mom today, bro.”
Nwabali’s candid revelation sheds light on the emotional battles athletes often face away from the spotlight. Despite his struggles, the 28-year-old has continued to represent Nigeria with resilience, earning praise for his composure and performances for both club and country.
His words have since drawn sympathy and support from fans and the wider football community, many applauding his courage for speaking openly about grief and mental health.
