Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has revealed that his decision to step away from football earlier this year was driven by unimaginable personal loss, after the deaths of both his parents and his grandmother within a short period.
The 29-year-old, who has now returned to South African club Chippa United, took a five-month break from the game to focus on his mental health, ending months of speculation surrounding his unexpected departure from the club.
According to ESPN, Nwabali and Chippa United mutually agreed to terminate his contract in February, but neither side explained the reason at the time.
Speaking previously on South Africa’s Metro FM, the Nigerian international hinted that his wellbeing had become his top priority.
“It is best you are being comfortable and enjoying the moment,” Nwabali said. “It was a strong decision, not a really nice decision, but I felt it was the best thing for me.
“Football is about happiness, and your happiness comes first. I was happy with the club, but it was something both parties understood.”
A heartbreaking period
The full story behind Nwabali’s absence has now emerged through his representative, Mohammed Lawal, who told ESPN that the goalkeeper did not simply leave Chippa United—he stepped away from football entirely to cope with overwhelming grief.
The difficult period began when Nwabali lost his grandmother shortly before Nigeria’s 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.
Just hours after helping the Super Eagles secure a 1-1 draw in that match, his father, Chief Godspower Nwabali, passed away. Months later, on January 1, 2025, tragedy struck again when his mother, Grace Nwabali, also died.
Lawal explained that the emotional weight of those losses became too much for the goalkeeper to carry while continuing his career.
“It has been very difficult for Stanley,” Lawal said.
“People only see footballers on the pitch. They don’t always know what is happening in their personal lives. Like everyone else, they go through painful moments.”
He added that following the deaths of his parents, Nwabali suddenly found himself carrying enormous family responsibilities while still trying to perform at the highest level.
“After losing his parents, he became responsible for everything. There was so much he had to deal with.
“He knew he had to keep playing as a professional, but it was affecting him. If he had continued without taking a break, he could have damaged both his career and himself.”
Grief reflected on the pitch
Lawal admitted that many fans noticed a change in Nwabali’s behaviour during Nigeria’s AFCON campaign and World Cup qualifiers but misunderstood what was happening.
Supporters who once praised the goalkeeper for his calmness began to see a more aggressive player, often shouting at teammates and confronting opponents.
According to Lawal, that was not the real Stanley Nwabali.
“If you look back, you’ll notice the difference. Stanley was always smiling and full of life.
“During the last AFCON and the World Cup qualifiers, he became unusually aggressive. People thought he had changed, but they didn’t know what he was going through.”
Those closest to him eventually urged him to step away before the emotional strain caused lasting damage.
“We told him, ‘This isn’t you. Take some time away before you do permanent damage to your career.'”
Choosing privacy over public explanations
Although rumours surrounded his departure from Chippa United, Lawal insisted the goalkeeper deliberately chose not to reveal his struggles publicly.
According to him, Nwabali believed he could deal with his grief privately.
“He didn’t want to tell everyone what he was going through.
“Sometimes people want to appear strong, but inside they’re struggling. These were personal matters, and he didn’t owe anyone an explanation until he was ready.”
Lawal also dismissed suggestions that the goalkeeper left because he felt bigger than the club or was chasing a transfer elsewhere.
“It had nothing to do with the league, disagreements with Chippa United, or offers from other clubs,” he explained.
“He stepped away because he needed to heal.”
Turning down lucrative offers
During his break from football, Nwabali attracted interest from clubs across several countries.
Lawal revealed that teams from Saudi Arabia, England, and elsewhere in Africa all made enquiries, but the goalkeeper declined every opportunity.
“There were plenty of offers,” Lawal said.
“People assumed deals collapsed, but that wasn’t the case.
“Stanley simply wasn’t ready to return to football. He needed time to grieve, recover mentally, and come back when he felt prepared.”
Support from Eric Chelle
ESPN also reported that Nwabali sought help from a mental health professional during his time away from football.
Throughout that period, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle remained in regular contact with the goalkeeper, offering encouragement and support.
Lawal believes that support network played a crucial role in Nwabali’s recovery.
“Now Stanley is ready—more than ready.
“Eric Chelle stayed in touch throughout the process, and Stanley had people around him who gave him the space to heal.”
He also stressed the importance of checking on athletes beyond their performances.
“Someone can look physically fine but be struggling mentally. Sometimes all a person needs is for someone to genuinely ask how they’re doing.”
Why Chippa United was the perfect place to return
Rather than joining a new club, Nwabali chose to return to familiar surroundings at Chippa United.
According to Lawal, the club’s understanding of his personal circumstances made the decision an easy one.
“The chairman understood why Stanley needed to leave, and that’s why welcoming him back wasn’t difficult,” he said.
“If he had left on bad terms, this reunion probably wouldn’t have happened.”
Returning to a club where he already has strong relationships, Lawal believes, gives the Super Eagles goalkeeper the best chance of rebuilding his confidence and rediscovering his best form.
“Everyone at Chippa knows Stanley not just as a goalkeeper, but as a person,” he said.
“They understand everything he has been through.
“Instead of starting over somewhere new, he’s back in an environment where people believe in him. That’s the perfect place for him to restart his career.”
