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Nwabali, who joined the Chilli Boys from Katsina United in the 2022/23 season, quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, impressing enough to earn a call-up to Nigeria's national team, the Super Eagles.
Nwabali's standout performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up, have significantly boosted his profile. Last season, he had made 29 appearances for Chippa United in all competitions, consistently demonstrating his skills and reliability between the posts with 12 clean sheets.
The interest in Nwabali comes at a time when Pirates are looking to bolster their goalkeeping options. The club recently parted ways with goalkeepers Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane, making room for new talent in that position.
Now, even Chippa captain Justice Chabalala has openly advised Nwabali to consider a move to Pirates, citing the Soweto club's successful history of integrating players from other teams.
Chabalala shared his thoughts with SABC Sport, stating, "We don't want to lose any players, but for me if you leave Chippa and you move to Pirates – I say Pirates because I love them, it's a good thing. It's a good achievement in South Africa, if you move to a club like Chiefs as well, the same goes for Sundowns maybe even SuperSport (United)," Chabalala told SABC Sport.
"I'm not saying all the other teams are not good or anything, they are okay, they are very good teams, but when you move from Chippa to Pirates, everyone knows it's a good move.
"Everyone wants to play for Pirates, and I'm happy for him (Nwabali) he's a good boy. He has achieved what he's achieved and he deserves to play for a big team, maybe not even in South Africa but to go outside and make money also.
"But we've been talking, 'How was it there at Pirates? How is Chiefs?' I said 'I don't know about Chiefs, but when you're at Pirates it's like you are overseas'," added the tough tackling defender.
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Despite the allure of joining a bigger club, Nwabali's decision will likely be influenced by the opportunities to play regularly and the potential for further development. His captain's endorsement of Pirates reflects not only the club's stature but also the personal experiences and aspirations within the team.
As the pre-season approaches, with plans for Pirates to train abroad in Spain and Germany, the decision on Nwabali's future will be crucial. His potential move could reshape his career and impact the goalkeeping dynamics at Pirates. With multiple clubs interested, Nwabali's next steps will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as he decides whether to continue his career in South Africa or possibly move abroad.
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