Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Greg Etafia has urged head coach Eric Chelle not to abandon Stanley Nwabali while the goalkeeper is without a club, saying he should have been invited to train with Nigeria's Unity Cup squad in London.
Etafia, speaking to Nigerian media this week, said the 29-year-old remains a top goalkeeper for the national team and would have benefited from being in camp with his teammates during the tournament. He stated that Chelle and the goalkeeping staff should have called Nwabali for the Unity Cup because of his past service.
Nwabali has been a free agent since leaving South African side Chippa United by mutual agreement in February. His proposed move to Tanzanian champions Simba SC collapsed in recent weeks after both parties failed to agree personal terms.
Reports said talks with Simba reached an advanced stage before breaking down, with the club unwilling to meet the financial package demanded by the goalkeeper's camp. The setback has left Nwabali searching for a new club ahead of the summer window, with interest reported from teams in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Etafia said bringing Nwabali into camp, even as a fourth goalkeeper who would not feature in matches, would have helped him maintain fitness and confidence. "He knows he isn't going to play official games with the team, but the training will help him a lot," he said. Chelle, appointed Super Eagles head coach in January 2025, omitted Nwabali from his Unity Cup roster for the tournament that began May 27 in London featuring Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.