The agent of Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Mohammed Lawal, has explained the circumstances behind the player’s decision to take a temporary break from football.
Nwabali had requested the termination of his contract with South African club Chippa United in February after enduring a difficult personal period.
The Nigeria international was unable to secure a move to another club before the end of the season, having gone through the emotional loss of his grandmother, father and mother within the space of one month.
Lawal said the experience was extremely challenging for the former Enyimba goalkeeper and contributed to his desire to step away from football earlier in the year.
Lawal told ESPN: ‘It has been very difficult for Stanley.
‘People don’t always know what is going on with these players. They only see them on the field. They know them as footballers, but they don’t know that they are human beings too. Like everyone else, they go through life’s challenges’.
Chippa United announced Nwabali’s return to the club last week, bringing an end to his temporary absence from the team.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper played a key role for Nigeria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles reached the final.
