Former Chippa United Keeper Questions Nwabali’s Exit, Doubts Move to PSL’s Big Three

Former Chippa United goalkeeper Tshepo Motsoeneng has cast doubt on Stanley Nwabali’s decision to part ways with the club, questioning whether the Super Eagles shot-stopper has done enough this season to warrant a move to one of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League’s top clubs.

Speaking to KickOff, Motsoeneng suggested that the Nigerian international may have been poorly advised regarding interest from elsewhere, while insisting his performances this season do not reflect a goalkeeper who has outgrown the PSL.

“I think for Nwabali to terminate at Chippa United, obviously, there might be an agent who told him there’s an interest somewhere,” Motsoeneng said.

He noted that Chippa United chairman Chippa Mpengesi is not known for blocking unhappy players from leaving, but questioned whether Nwabali had done enough to prove himself ready for a bigger move.

“I don’t think Nwabali has outgrown the PSL. Chippa is fighting relegation, and for Nwabali, he needed to prove at Chippa without reasonable doubt if he had outgrown the PSL. He first needs to be an outstanding goalkeeper in the PSL to outgrow it.”

Dip in Form Since AFCON

Motsoeneng pointed to a decline in the 29-year-old’s performances this season, suggesting that the goalkeeper’s focus may have wavered after his impressive showing at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Since this season started, Nwabali’s performance has not been where it should have been. After coming back from AFCON in Morocco, maybe he thought he was going to receive an offer from outside, and that didn’t happen,” he added.

No Room at the Big Three

The former Chippa United goalkeeper also analysed the goalkeeping situations at South Africa’s traditional giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns concluding that none present a realistic destination for Nwabali.

“If he is aiming to move to one of the big three, where will he go?” Motsoeneng asked.

He argued that all three clubs already have established first-choice goalkeepers with international ambitions.

“At Kaizer Chiefs, you have Brandon Petersen, who is proving this season that he is the right man for the job. At Orlando Pirates, you have Sipho Chaine, who is winning trophies and wants to be squeezed into the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad behind Ricardo Goss.”

“At Mamelodi Sundowns, you have the country’s number one in Ronwen Williams. Remember, you sign a foreign goalkeeper for him to be number one, but now when you bring him to Sundowns, then what must happen to Ronwen?”

Motsoeneng stressed that foreign goalkeepers are typically signed to be first-choice options, a scenario that does not currently exist at any of the three clubs.

“They have no space for Nwabali. All three clubs’ first-choice goalkeepers have a chance to go to the World Cup,” he said.

Uncertain Future

Nwabali recently parted ways with Chippa United, where he served as captain, and is currently without a club. The 29-year-old earned his Super Eagles call-up in 2024 and has remained Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since, but his next destination remains unclear as speculation continues over his future.