Akpeyi backs Nwabali for Eagles recall

Former Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has said Stanley Nwabali’s return to South African side, Chippa United, could pave the way for the goalkeeper’s recall to the national team, insisting that a lack of regular club football was the primary reason for his absence from Eric Chelle’s squad.

Nwabali established himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, helping the Super Eagles reach the final, and remained the team’s number one through the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where his performances helped Nigeria secure a record-extending ninth bronze medal. However, he has not featured for the national team since leaving Chippa United by mutual consent in February, missing Nigeria’s victorious 2026 Unity Cup campaign and subsequent friendlies against Poland and Portugal, with Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo and Maduka Okoye all featuring in his absence.

Akpeyi told FARPost that Nwabali’s proven quality for the Super Eagles should count in his favour once he returns to form.

“He has been excellent, absolutely excellent. Faultless for Nigeria. He has taken them to places. He performed consistently well for the Super Eagles. A lot can change in a season. Football is so fluid.

I know he will manage to get back his form and earn the trust of the coaches, then he will rise again quickly. I would not be surprised if he was Nigeria’s number one in the next few games,” Akpeyi said.

The former Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper explained that Nwabali’s exclusion stemmed from being without a club rather than any decline in ability.

“When you are not attached to any team, it is obvious you will not get invited to the national team. Even when you are not playing regularly, it is very difficult to get a call-up,” he said.

Akpeyi added that Nwabali’s decision to return to Chippa United, where he began his career, gave him the best chance of rediscovering his form.

“He needs to revive himself. But it has started with first getting a team, as it gives him an opportunity to be recalled to the national team. So this could be one of the reasons why he decided to come back home to Chippa United, where he started. At least there, he will get the platform to play and remind people what he can do,” Akpeyi said.

Nwabali will be looking to establish himself at Chippa United as the 2026/27 South African Premiership season begins on August 1, with an eye on returning to top form ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins in September.