Former Nigeria goalkeeper Bassey Akpan has raised concerns over the timing of Stanley Nwabali’s contract termination at Chippa United, warning that the move could have negative implications for the goalkeeper’s career.
Speaking on the development, Akpan questioned why such a decision would come after the transfer window had closed, noting that being without a club for an extended period can be risky, especially for a goalkeeper.
“The timing is what worries me,” Akpan said. “If the transfer window is already shut, staying without a club for months is not ideal for a goalkeeper of Nwabali’s level.”
Akpan explained that goalkeepers, unlike outfield players, need consistent match action to maintain sharpness, adding that long periods of inactivity could affect form and confidence.
“For a goalkeeper, regular games are very important. Training alone cannot replace match situations, and this could affect his rhythm and national team prospects,” he added.
However, the former international acknowledged that there could be underlying reasons for the decision, suggesting that it might only make sense if the contract termination was linked to injury or rehabilitation.
“If it is injury-related or part of a recovery process, then it’s understandable. But without clarity, it raises questions,” Akpan concluded.
Nwabali has been a regular feature in Nigeria’s national team setup, and Akpan stressed that resolving the situation quickly would be key to ensuring the goalkeeper remains competitive at both club and international levels.
