Former Nigerian international Greg Etafia believes the Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle should have extended an invitation to goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for the Unity Cup.
Recall that Nwabali, 29, who excelled with the Super Eagles as they finished third at the last AFCON in Morocco, has been clubless since departing Chippa United in February by mutual agreement.
Nwabali Should Have Been Part Of Eagles
In a chat with Brila FM, Etafia stated that bringing Nwabali into camp, even as a fourth option, would have been beneficial for his mental state and professional training.
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“Every player wants to play and Nwabali isn’t different from that,” Etafia asserted.
“Unfortunately, things happened to him at Chippa; he is a free agent now. There are lots of clubs looking at him.”
“I think the goalkeeper coach and the head coach should have called up Nwabali to train with the team for the Unity Cup because of what he has done in the past.”
“Even if he is not among the first three goalkeepers, make him the fourth one to come to camp. He knows he isn’t going to play official games with the team, but the training will help him a lot.”
Nwabali Set For Action Next Season
Etafia, who has been assisting Nwabali, also disclosed that the goalkeeper is expected to return to club football by next season.
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“For next season he will play. He is a top goalkeeper and has done so well for the Nigerian national team in the two AFCON tournaments he has played.
“He is the number one goalkeeper, but because he doesn’t have a club, I think the coaches feel they have options and want to give opportunities to others.”
6 Comments
All these for former internationals you cause confusion everywhere
What is it with Etafia and Nwabali….?
Why has he suddenly become Nwabali’s chief hawker….?
“…..For next season he will play. He is a top goalkeeper and has done so well for the Nigerian national team in the two AFCON tournaments he has played……he is a free agent now. There are lots of clubs looking at him…..”
So Mr Etafia, tell us why the lad is still clubless. Tell us why even now that he’s a free agent, he still cant get a club, even if it is on a short-term contract till June…? Tell us why clubs dont want him, yet you are practically pleading for him to be invited as a FOURTH Gk for friendly matches.
Why not wait till the “next season” you keep referring to, when he starts playing before advocating for his call up to the national team.
Once again, it is those who hyped the lad to the high heavens I blame for his current predicament. Where are they now….??? They’ve all crawled back into their holes.
How are the mighty fallen….!
This our so called former players are really on something maybe drunkenness or drugs, many of them are talking senselessly,
“Etafia, who has been assisting Nwabali….”
It is the same as Kalika, who is a former assistant to Sia Sia
At least CS gave us the background to this unhelpful article.
I still wonder if he would have torn his contract had eagles qualified for the world cup.
Where are sympathizers of Awokodare and Christantus Uche? It’s your turn to plead for your players too lol
Chelle said his vision is to build a team with very active players. We want club less men at the highest levels now.
Anyway, the so-called elite players playing next months friendlies have one final afcon before they make way for hungrier players.
These proponents of “spent” players have only a short time to do so.
They should carry on.
Meanwhile
Where’s falcons list, Madugu and NFF?
Na wah oh
NFF is accursed sha
@Sly. Thumbs up with this high comment.
Some of these so-called former players are now causing more problems than solutions because they give them a microphone. So, Nwabali should be called over players that are playing? stupid talk