With Chippa United and Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali said to have received two enquiries from overseas clubs, his best bet is to take the plunge now as he has nothing else to prove in South Africa, writes Lukhanyo Mtuta.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, English Championship side Queens Park Rangers and Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard, have made enquiries into Nwabali's services.
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The goalkeeper rose to international fame at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, when he sensationally helped his side to a silver-medal finish at the tournament in the Ivory Coast to mark the first time Nigeria had reached the final since winning the competition in 2013.
He kept four clean sheets in seven matches, and notably saved two penalties to help eliminate Bafana Bafana from the tournament at the semi-final stage. His heroics undoubtedly elevated his stock, with Chippa reportedly likely to lose him at the end of the season.
Although there are some suggestions he could seal a big move to one of the big DStv Premiership sides, amid speculation linking him with Kaizer Chiefs, remaining in the PSL would arguably be an underwhelming next step for his career.
It's no secret that the most successful team in the country over the past decade, Mamelodi Sundowns, already have a trusted No. 1 in Ronwen Williams, who pipped Nwabali to the 2023 AFCON Golden Glove award. So, a move to Sundowns looks to be completely off the cards, especially if the Nigerian wants to retain his starting spot for the Super Eagles.
There's been no suggestions of him moving to Orlando Pirates, who have rotated three goalkeepers this term, with Richard Ofori, Sipho Chaine and Melusi Buthelezi having all made appearances for the club this season.
At Chiefs, meanwhile, he arguably stands a better chance of being the first-choice 'keeper given that the Glamour Boys have shown an inconsistency over their No. 1. Game time in goal has been split between Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Peterson, while an ageing Itumeleng Khune seems past his best years as a player. Furthermore, Amakhosi may no longer possess the appeal they previously had as they have now gone nine years without a trophy.
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Given Chippa's reputation as a selling club, it seems improbable that the Eastern Cape outfit will resist any offers for Nwabali if the right bid is presented to them. As such, the 27-year-old has no better opportunity than the upcoming transfer window to take the plunge and move abroad.
The Saudi Pro League has gained significant ground as one of the world's burgeoning leagues, having attracted globally recognised stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane over the past year or two. South African coach Pitso Mosimane also once again succumbed recently to the magnetic pull of the SPL, where he now manages relegation-threatened Abha Club, albeit in a short-term deal that is set to expire at the end of the season.
Arguably, the idea of working under Gerrard at Al Ettifaq is an attractive proposition as they also have the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Demarai Grey and Moussa Dembele on their books.
QPR, however, have a 36-year-old Asmir Begovic as their current No. 1, and the former Chelsea shot-stopper has shipped in 50 goals in 38 league matches this season, leaving the English outfit in 20th spot on the table and facing relegation.
Breaking into that team seems a less daunting task for Nwabali, in addition to the fact he would be playing in a more competitive league than the DStv Premiership.
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