NWABALI: ‘I really want to play for Kaizer Chiefs with all my heart’
Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has opened up on his love for Kaizer Chiefs, saying he would want to play for the Soweto giants.
The Nigeria international custodian has poured his heart out following a lengthy speculation about where his interests lied.
The Nigerian has for long been reported to be a transfer target of Amakhosi who would have signed him for a lesser amount of money than Fiacre Ntwari, according to Chippa chairman Siviwe Mpengesi.
But now his value might have risen after signing an improved deal with the Chilli Boys as well as being handed the captain’s armband.
“To be honest, Kaizer Chiefs is really one of the clubs I really want to play [for],” Nwabali told Metro FM.
“This is the club I want to play [for] in South Africa, with all my heart. I won’t say I have been supporting them but this is the club I felt I want to play for.
Asked what would be his response if Chiefs were to approach him at any time with the right offer, Nwabali said, “I don’t know. To be quite honest, the Rwanda guy [Fiacre Ntwari] is really doing well with the club, I wouldn’t take that away from him.
“A lot of clubs have come for me but probably [they are not willing to pay my worth] and probably they are looking at me as ‘it’s just his first hit at Afcon, let’s keep on watching him.’ A lot of clubs always do that.”
Chances of Chiefs signing Nwabali now look slim as they appear stable in their goalkeeping department. where they have Fiacre Ntwari, Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Petersen as the prominent ones custodians.
Even after Ntwari made what looked like a blunder to concede Magesi’s second goal on Wednesday, he is likely to keep his place as their first choice.
The Soweto giants’ top priority will be signing a striker when the January PSL player transfer window opens.
With Nwabali being a wanted man by overseas clubs, it remains to be seen if there will be approaches for him in January.
For now, he pushes to maintain some good form and his place as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper to remain attractive in the transfer market.
Nwabali and Nigeria will face Ntwari’s Rwanda in next month’s 2025 Afcon qualifier.