Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali came close to retiring from football following the deaths of both his parents, according to his representative, Mohammed Lawal. Nwabali lost his mother, Grace Nwabali, and his father, Chief Godspower Nwabali, within weeks of each other between November 2024 and January 2025. He had also lost his grandmother shortly before […]
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Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali came close to retiring from football following the deaths of both his parents, according to his representative, Mohammed Lawal.
Nwabali lost his mother, Grace Nwabali, and his father, Chief Godspower Nwabali, within weeks of each other between November 2024 and January 2025. He had also lost his grandmother shortly before the family tragedies.
Despite the emotional loss, the goalkeeper continued to represent Nigeria, including at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, before mutually terminating his contract with South African club Chippa United in February.
Lawal disclosed that the emotional burden eventually became overwhelming, prompting Nwabali to take a break from football to focus on his recovery.
He also said the grief affected the goalkeeper’s behaviour during the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where he appeared unusually aggressive towards teammates and opponents.
Lawal dismissed claims that Nwabali’s absence from football was due to a lack of commitment, revealing that the goalkeeper rejected offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia, England and other African countries while taking time to heal from his personal loss.
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