Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s representative, Mohammed Lawal, has revealed that the shot-stopper’s decision to leave Chippa United earlier this year was driven by the need to protect his mental health following a series of devastating personal losses, Trybal News reports.
Nwabali’s return to the South African club was confirmed this week, five months after he and Chippa United mutually agreed to part ways, bringing an end to speculation surrounding the circumstances of his departure.
Speaking to ESPN with the player’s consent, Lawal explained that the former Enyimba goalkeeper had effectively stepped away not only from Chippa United but from football altogether as he struggled to cope with grief.
Within the space of two months, Nwabali lost his grandmother, father and mother in what Lawal described as an overwhelming period for the Nigeria international.
It has been very difficult for Stanley,” Lawal said.
People only see footballers on the pitch and often do not realise what they may be dealing with away from the game. They are human beings first.”
According to Lawal, the emotional burden had a noticeable impact on Nwabali during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign and subsequent FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
If you look back, you’ll see the difference. Stanley used to be lively and always smiling,” Lawal explained.
During the last AFCON and the World Cup qualifiers, he became unusually aggressive. He was shouting at teammates and confronting opponents. But that wasn’t the real Stanley.”
When he first started playing for Nigeria, everyone talked about how calm he was under pressure. Later, people thought he had become overconfident or aggressive. They didn’t know what was happening inside him.”
Lawal was keen to dismiss suggestions that Nwabali’s departure was linked to contract issues, transfer ambitions or dissatisfaction with Chippa United.
It had nothing to do with the league, feeling bigger than the club or receiving offers from elsewhere,” he said.
Despite attracting interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, England and other markets, Nwabali opted against an immediate return to football, choosing instead to focus on his wellbeing and recovery.
Stanley just decided he wasn’t ready to go back into football. He needed time to grieve, deal with everything and come back in a better state of mind,” Lawal added.
During his time away from the game, Nwabali sought professional mental health support and remained in regular contact with members of the Super Eagles setup as he worked towards a return.
Lawal also praised Chippa United and club chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi for their understanding and support throughout the goalkeeper’s absence.
The chairman understood his situation because Stanley explained everything,” Lawal said.
For the player’s camp, returning to a familiar environment offered the ideal platform for Nwabali to rebuild both personally and professionally.
At Chippa, they understand him as a person, not just as a goalkeeper, and that gives him the best opportunity to return to his best level.”
Nwabali, who rose to prominence during Nigeria’s run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, now begins the next chapter of his career with renewed focus and support, having placed his wellbeing at the centre of his return to football.
