Nigeria's Stanley Nwabali in action Chippa United and Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali lost both of his parents within two months towards the end of last year and early in 2025. Photo: Issouf Sanogo/AFP
Image: Issouf Sanogo/AFP
Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has revealed his mental health struggles after losing both of his parents recently.
Within a tragic two month period, the Nigeria international, lost the support of his parents; His father lost his life during an international break in November, while his mother passed on New Years Day.
Despite this, Nwabali said he was committed to helping his team on the field. He sat out the team’s 2-2 draw against Marumo Gallants last month, but returned to the starting lineup against Golden Arrows in the Nedbank Cup a week later.
And this weekend, he was once again between the sticks when they were beaten by Polokwane City this past weekend.
“From my side, I’m not mentally stable now, but you know, as a lover of soccer, whatever time you find an opportunity to be in the pitch or to do whatever you enjoy. You try to push some of your things behind you and just move on,” the 28-year-old was quoted by FARPost.
“So, I won’t say I’m fully 100% okay, but I just need to do whatever thing I felt like to help my team today.”
He continued: “It’s not really easy for me and giving this energy to my team when I came back.
“But you know, as I said, life, you just really need to focus on those ways of life.
“Despite, I know it’s not easy. It’s a really tough moment for me this time. So, I’m still passing through it, but I really need to move on and just see how I’m going to put myself together because this is not what my fans want to see in the pitch.”
Nwabali will likely be in action again on Tuesday when Chippa United take on Magesi in a Betway Premiership clash.
IOL Sport