‘Prove yourself’ – Chelle adviced to ignore Stanley Nwabali till Super Eagles goalkeeper finds new club

Apr 23, 2026 - 14:00

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been backed to snub Stanley Nwabali in Nigeria's upcoming fixtures at the Unity Cup and the friendlies in June, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nwabali has a brilliant outing at the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, keeping three clean sheets in six games as he helped the Super Eagles to a bronze medal, even denying Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush from twelve yards.

After the tournament, the 29-year-old waited till the winter transfer window slammed shut before parting ways with his club side Chippa United, a decision that left many stunned.

Stanley Nwabali during AFCON third place match between Egypt and Nigeria — Stanley Nwabali during the AFCON third-place match between Egypt and Nigeria. Photo by Segun Ogunfeyitimi/IMAGO

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Duke Udi tells Eric Chelle to snub Nwabali for Super Eagles' games

Eric Chelle didn't give a call-up to the one-time NPFL winner last month. Instead, Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye were all invited, and all three had cameos in the March International friendly games against Jordan and Iran.

Ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup games in London, former Super Eagles midfielder Duke Udi, weighed in on the goalkeeping situation, categorically stating that players without clubs shouldn't have a reserved spot in the National team.

“We need to learn from the English and Senegalese national teams. With all due respect to Nigeria, how do they pick their players?
“Sometimes when you do things your own way and it’s not working, you have to look at those doing it better and learn from them,” the 49-year-old said in an interview with Brila.

Victor Osimhen, Eric Chelle during the Africa Cup Of Nations Quarter-final match between Algeria and Nigeria — Victor Osimhen and Eric Chelle during the AFCON match between Algeria and the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Copyright: ImagoxSFSIx

“If you look at the Senegal national team, they pick players based on merit and who is in form. You must prove yourself to get called up.
“Every Nigerian who wants to play for the Super Eagles should be chosen on merit, not based on where he comes from or who he represents.
“Once you are qualified, good enough, and performing well at your club, then you are entitled to play for the national team.
“The national team isn’t a rehabilitation centre. Nwabali isn’t a bad goalkeeper, but for now he is clubless so how do you bring a clubless player into the national team?
“As I always say, ‘I get am before no be property.’ You should always pick based on form,” Duke Udi concluded.

Akor Adams and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali celebrates securing third place in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Copyright: Imago

South African giants Kaizer Chiefs and Tanzanian side Simba SC have registered interest in the 34-cap Super Eagles goalkeeper, but nothing concrete has ensued so far.