Former Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has backed his compatriot Stanley Nwabali to “redeem his image” and rebuild his career following his shock return to the Chilli Boys.
Nwabali parted ways with Chippa in February 2026 after requesting a contract termination to pursue an overseas move. His stock had soared significantly following penalty-saving heroics that helped Nigeria reach the AFCON 2023 final, followed by a series of commanding displays at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
However, despite intense transfer speculation linking him to English Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers, Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, and even local heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs, none of the proposed moves materialised. After spending months on the sidelines clubless, Nwabali’s sudden return to the Gqeberha-based side came as a massive surprise to many who assumed his initial exit was permanent.
DANIEL AKPEYI BACKS NWABALI’S CHIPPA REUNION
Speaking exclusively to FARPost, Akpeyi described the Super Eagles shot-stopper’s decision to rejoin the Betway Premiership side as a highly calculated and necessary step to restore his momentum at both club and international level.
“Sometimes it’s good to start back from home again and, you know, put yourself back together. It’s time to redeem your image,” Akpeyi told FARPost.
“I’m not sure what must have transpired between him and the club initially, and I’m not sure why his agent couldn’t get him to other teams. But then again, Chippa United is the team that brought him into the limelight in the Betway Premiership. So if he has to restart again and put himself in the limelight, why not?
“If Chippa United has provided him the opportunity to do so again, amidst the old challenges they had when he terminated his contract last season, he can actually start all over again and try to put himself back in the limelight.”
Akpeyi added: “Hopefully, he gets a better offer from there. He did well with the team before, and that is where the national team found him.
“I still believe he can do so much more. With his current experience and quality, it is just a matter of him redefining himself and picking up the pieces where he left off.”
In his first stint at the Gqeberha-based side, the 30-year-old played 66 Betway Premiership matches, and he will be hoping to regain his place at both club and national team level.
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