![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/4OGDDPfohFdd1-8RNfFOeDJl58c=\/750x500\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F07%2FC6EE8F6B-942A-4B51-A2CA-D6B34DE18746.jpeg\")
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Stanley Nwabali for Nigeria. Copyright: IMAGO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has\u00a0explained how Stanley Nwabali\u2019s return to Chippa United could\u00a0pave the way for\u00a0a\u00a0return to the national team,\u00a0Soccernet.ng<\/u><\/a>\u00a0reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n Nwabali established himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper\u00a0at\u00a0the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where his impressive performances helped the Super Eagles reach the\u00a0final, before they were defeated by Ivory Coast to finish second.<\/p>\n The 30-year-old\u00a0remained Nigeria’s number one until the end of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he once again produced several outstanding displays to help the\u00a0Super Eagles secure a record<\/u>-extending\u00a0<\/u>ninth bronze medal.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n However, he has not featured for\u00a0the national team\u00a0since leaving Chippa United in February after both parties agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent.<\/p>\n After spending months without a club despite attracting interest from teams in Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Morocco,\u00a0Nwabali has now returned to Chippa United<\/u><\/a>\u00a0as he looks to get his career back on track.<\/p>\n Nwabali had been Eric Chelle’s first-choice goalkeeper before falling out of the national team setup because he was without a club.<\/p>\n During his absence,\u00a0Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo and Maduka Okoye have all featured for the Super Eagles, increasing the competition for the number one shirt.<\/p>\n Despite that competition, Akpeyi believes Nwabali’s return to club football is the first and most important step towards earning another Super Eagles call-up. He also believes the goalkeeper’s previous performances for Nigeria could help him reclaim his place.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been excellent, absolutely excellent. Faultless for Nigeria. He has taken them to places. He performed consistently well for the Super Eagles\u201d, the former Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper told\u00a0FARPost<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cA\u00a0lot can change in a season. Football is so fluid. I know he will manage to get back his form and earn the trust of the coaches, then he will rise again quickly. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was [Nigeria’s No. 1] in the next few games.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n The 30-year-old\u00a0had been without competitive football since leaving Chippa United earlier this year. As a result, he\u00a0has missed several games including the\u00a0victorious 2026 Unity Cup campaign<\/u><\/a>\u00a0and subsequent friendlies against Poland and Portugal.<\/p>\n Akpeyi believes the\u00a0Nwabali\u2019s\u00a0lack of regular club football was the main reason he dropped out of the Super Eagles squad.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you’re not attached to any team, it’s obvious you won’t get invited to the national team. Even when you’re not playing regularly, it’s very difficult to get a call-up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n With his return to Chippa United now complete, Nwabali has put himself back in contention for a place in Chelle’s squad.<\/p>\n Akpeyi believes joining a club was the crucial first step, but\u00a0believes\u00a0the goalkeeper must now rediscover his best form if he wants to win back the trust\u00a0of the Super Eagles coach and reclaim the number one shirt.<\/p>\n \u201cHe needs to revive himself. But it has started with first getting a team, as it gives him an opportunity to be recalled to the national team.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cSo this could be one of the reasons why he decided to come back home to Chippa United, where he started. At least there, he will get the platform to play and remind people what he can do\u201d, Akpeyi concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nwabali will now be hoping to play a\u00a0major\u00a0role for Chippa United during the 2026\u201327 South African Premiership season, which begins on August 1.<\/p>\n The\u00a030-year-old\u00a0will also be aiming to return to top form in time for\u00a0Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign<\/u><\/a>, which is scheduled to begin in September.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/i-6tEh7Q5Sa1lY8rjOkHIW8VnWM=\/1024x681\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2025%2F12%2Fimago1070664292-1.jpg\")
Soccer Akpeyi reacts to Nwabali’s return to Chippa United<\/h2>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/P7fdFzvpSiu967V1LmfR-sNDs-U=\/2304x1536\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F06%2FCompress_20260615_090619_9597.jpg\")
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Soccer Why Nwabali lost his place\u00a0in the national team<\/h2>\n
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Soccer The key step towards a Super Eagles return<\/h2>\n
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Ayomide Oguntimehin” src=”https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/ycGEJDr9VZlpO_5zujn3ZdvICxA=\/150×150\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2024%2F12%2FAyomide-Oguntimehin-pics.jpg” height=”80″ width=”80″>\t\t<\/p>\n