Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali came close to quitting football after the heartbreaking loss of both his parents within a matter of weeks.
His representative, Mohammed Lawal, revealed the extent of the goalkeeper’s emotional struggle months after his departure from South African Premiership side Chippa United.
Nwabali lost his father, Chief Godspower Nwabali, in November 2024. Just six weeks later, his mother, Grace Nwabali, also passed away. The family had earlier mourned the death of his grandmother, making it an especially devastating period for the Nigeria international.
Despite the personal tragedy, Nwabali continued playing and represented Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco before leaving Chippa United by mutual consent in February.
Lawal has now shed light on the emotional toll the losses had on the goalkeeper.
Speaking to ESPN, Lawal said: “It has been very difficult for Stanley. People don’t always know what is going on with these players.
“They only see them on the field. They know them as footballers, but they don’t know that they are human beings too.”
According to Lawal, the grief significantly affected Nwabali’s personality and performances, making him appear unusually aggressive during the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualifiers.
“If you look back, you will see the difference. Stanley used to be lively and always smiling. During the last AFCON and the World Cup qualifiers, he became unusually aggressive. But that was not the real Stanley,” Lawal said.
Lawal explained that those closest to the goalkeeper eventually encouraged him to step away from football temporarily to protect both his mental well-being and his career.
“We told him, ‘This is not you. Take time away before you do permanent damage to your career.’ It was not something he and the club planned together. Stanley simply realised he needed to step away, and he asked to be released,” he said.
Lawal also dismissed suggestions that Nwabali’s absence from the game was due to a lack of transfer opportunities. He revealed that the goalkeeper turned down interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, England and other African countries while focusing on his recovery.
“There was serious interest from Saudi Arabia, Africa and even England, but once we explained the situation, they understood,” Lawal said.
“Stanley decided to stay out of the game for a few months and get himself in order.
“He maintained a good relationship with Chippa United. The chairman understood his situation because Stanley explained everything. At Chippa, everyone knows him. That gives him the best chance to get back to the level he was at before.”
The development comes just days after Chippa United confirmed Nwabali’s return, welcoming the 30-year-old goalkeeper back to the Eastern Cape ahead of the 2026/27 season.
