Chippa United and Super Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali have stressed the need for the improvement of various football leagues on the continent of Africa.
The goaltender who made the emphasis in a recent chat with South African publication, FARPost, said that West African players seek to move to Europe and other parts of Africa because the standards are better.
Nwabali also cited South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, as an example because he has the name, the sponsor, his family is based in SA, and the league is okay.
He said, “Ronwen Williams is at Sundowns, he gets everything he wants, he’s got the name; he’s got the sponsor, his family is here, everyone is supporting him, he’s the captain of Bafana Bafana, and the league is okay. The league and the pay are a little bit nicer, depending on the level of your team.
“In West Africa, our leagues are not as good. We want to go to Europe, we want to come to South Africa, we want to go to Morocco—all those kinds of leagues. If your league is nice, there’s no point in you leaving. If your league is nice, you’re getting paid, you’re getting sponsors, what are you leaving for?’’ Nwabali asked.
His comments come days after the goalkeeper coach of Chippa United, Sean Louw, revealed the ideal club that Nwabali should sign for next season.
Louw, who shared his opinion in a chat with SABC Sport ideally, Nwabali should sign for Kaizer Chiefs because it has always been his childhood dream to play for the club.
According to the goalkeeper coach, Nwabali wanted to play for Kaizer Chiefs, but he advised him to first play at the 2023 AFCON before speaking to the top South African club.
He also suggested that Nwabali might choose to play for Al-Ettifaq FC, a Saudi Arabian Pro League team led by England national team player and Liverpool great Steven Gerrard.
“Sometimes I wish it was about me, to be quite honest. I would love for him to join Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia, and I can give many reasons why, number one—it’s Arab money—and number two you are coached by the legend of the game who is willing to understand how the game is being played now.”
