New Chippa goalkeeper enjoying extra game time

Nigerian goalkeeper, 26, steadily adjusting to new league and country

Chippa United shot-stopper Stanley Nwabili wants to be just like his idol, Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

The 26-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper was praised by coach Kurt Lentjies after their 11 draw against Sekhukhune United at the weekend.

Lentjies said penalties were what made Nwabili tick and that he was at his best during shoot-outs.

Nwabili pulled off a dramatic injury-time save to prevent the Chilli Boys from leaving the Peter Mokaba Stadium emptyhanded on Saturday.

He also denied National First Division side Polokwane City three goals during their Nedbank Cup last 32 fixture in which Chippa won 3-2 on penalties after the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

“Before coming to Chippa I always used to watch Khune and the Dstv Premiership,” Nwabili said.

“It’s one of the best leagues I have ever dreamt of playing in.

“With penalties, I work hard to master them. It’s not to say that I am the best, but I just want to be different from others; that’s why I have been working so hard on myself.

“I always used to follow Khune when I was in Nigeria and I just wanted to be like him. I enjoy watching him in action and I would love to meet him one day, because I want to be like him in terms of confidence.”

Nwabili, who joined the Chilli Boys in October last year, has only made six appearances for the Gqeberha side this season, of which two were in the Nedbank Cup.

The goalkeeper has used the little time he has been given through his performances to truly show his worth at Chippa.

As much as he was enjoying the game time, Nwabili said it was not easy to adjust to a foreign country and league.

But it appears he has got used to it.

“When I arrived at Chippa met Lloyd Kazapua.

“He’s a very nice goalkeeper, he’s very good and he works very hard just like me.

“You know, sometimes when a team changes a goalkeeper, it’s not all about the goalkeeper not being good, but sometimes the coach or the team have specific game plans for the different goalkeepers.

“So when I arrived here I worked alongside Kazapua, but I waited patiently for my time.

“My former coach Morgan Mammila did give me a couple of games to play and now, as with my new coach, Lentjies has also given me game time.

“Now that I am getting more game time I feel like my confidence levels will also heighten.

“I am not saying that I am too confident now, but I am getting my confidence back because now I am getting a lot more playing time and that is nice,” he said.