Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali put on a stunning performance for Chippa United, earning the Man of the Match award in their goalless draw against Richards Bay in the South African Premier League on Saturday.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper delivered a series of crucial saves at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, helping his team secure an important away point. His strong form comes at the right time, with Nigeria set to play World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Despite Richards Bay dominating the match with seven shots and eight corners, Nwabali kept them at bay with key saves from Justice Figuareido, Moses Mthembu, Keegan Allan, and Ntlonelo Bomelo.
His standout moment came in the 17th minute when he made a spectacular save to deny Figuareido’s curling shot from outside the box.
“Not been easy healing. Man of The Match and a clean sheet. All thanks to the team. We go again,” Nwabali posted on X.
Chippa United secured only their second clean sheet of the season, with Nwabali’s heroics earning him the best player award.
The 28-year-old has faced scrutiny recently following a dip in form, coinciding with the loss of both his parents earlier this year. However, his latest performance boosts his confidence as he aims to solidify his position as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, a role he established with his impressive display at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
