Biography
‘Born to Play’: The Success Story of Stanley Nwabali
Nigeria’s men national team goal stopper, Stanley Nwabali, on February 2, 2024 declared football is “a game I’m born to play.”
Who is Stanley Nwabali?
His full name is Stanley Bobbi ‘Bobo’ Nwabali. He currently plays for Chippa United, a South African professional football club based in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province, having previously been based in Nyanga suburb of the city of Cape Town.
Nwabili currently plays as a goalkeeper for the team in the South Africa’s Premier Soccer League’s Premier Division.
Age
Stanley Nwabali was born on June 10, 1996. He is currently 27 years old and expected to be 28-year-old by June 10, 2024.
State of origin
Nwabali is originally from Imo State. However, he was born in Rivers State into an Igbo Christian family, and grew up in Port Harcourt.
Parents
Nwabali was born into a Christain family.
Marriage
Nwabali is reportedly married to Nkechi Nwabali, a fashion designer and entrepreneur.
The couple has two children together: a son named Bobo Junior and a daughter named Adaora.
Another report said the goalkeeper is not known to be legally married, despite having a child with his mysterious girlfriend.
Nwabali is a devout Christian who credits God for his achievements. He is also involved in charity work and supports various causes.
“I have no pressure. In this life I am only afraid of God and I don’t see him on the pitch. Men are Men”
—Stanley Nwabali
Meanwhile, following Nwabali’s heroic prerfomance in the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations 2023 (AFCON 2023) semi-final game against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa held in Ivory Coast, many female netizens have posted photoshopped images claiming they her his wife.
Nwabali’s defining moment came during the nail-biting penalty shootout against South Africa.
It was a tense moment as the South Africa’s goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, had initially saved 4 penalty shoots when the team played against Cape Verde in the Quater final.
With two crucial saves, he not only secured Nigeria’s place in the AFCON final but also earned the Man of the Match award, a testament to his undeniable impact and heroics on the field.
Career
Shehu Dikko, the Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), described Stanley Nwabali’s career thus:
“DESTINY CHILD!! May God bless Mr. Jude Anyadufu, the Sporting Director of Enyimba FC… NWABILI was unfortunately relegated from the NPFL with Go-Round FC of Portharcourt in 2018. But Mr. Jude saw he is something special in the games he kept for Go Round FC and so didn’t allow him to go down and signed up for Enyimba FC to start as 3rd choice keeper behind LEKE and FATAHU DAUDA (a Ghana International Goalkeeper)… the rest they say is history!! The Enyimba head coach, Usman Abdallah trust him and made him Number 1 and when he left Enyimba to Wikki and later Katsina Utd he always goes with Nwabili as his top keeper … Now in the Super Eagles setup, at the AFCON Nwabili is first choice while LEKE is the 3rd choice …. That’s life ….”
Nwabali began his professional career in 2019, when he joined Go Round FC, a Nigerian club based in Omoku.
He impressed with his performances and earned a move to Enyimba, one of the most successful clubs in Nigeria, in 2020.
He helped Enyimba win the Nigeria Professional Football League title in 2021, as well as reach the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
In 2021, he moved to Lobi Stars, another Nigerian club, where he continued to shine. He then joined Katsina United in 2022, before securing a transfer to Chippa United, a South African club, later that year.
He became the first Nigerian goalkeeper to play in Chippa United, and quickly established himself as the first-choice keeper for the team.
Nwabali made his debut for the Nigerian national team in 2021, in an international friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles, USA.
He conceded four goals in a 4-0 defeat, but showed some glimpses of his potential.
He then became the hero of Nigeria’s campaign at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, where he saved two penalties in a shootout against South Africa in the semi-finals, sending Nigeria to the final.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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