Former South African goalkeeper Motsoeneng Tshepo has claimed there is currently no space for Super Eagles shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali at Premier Soccer League giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Nwabali recently terminated his contract with Chippa United despite having six months left, making him a free agent and eligible to sign for a new club before the end of the season.

Speaking to KickOff, Motsoeneng suggested that Nwabali’s decision to leave Chippa may have been influenced by assurances of interest elsewhere. 

"I think for Nwabali to terminate at Chippa United obviously there might be an agent who told him there's an interest somewhere," Motsoeneng said.

He noted that Chippa United owner Chippa Mpengesi is known for allowing unsettled players to move on. 

"And knowing Chippa Mpengesi whom I worked with closely at some point, he doesn't stand in the way of a player who is not happy at the club anymore."

Despite links with a potential move to Europe, Motsoeneng believes the Nigerian international has not yet outgrown the Premier Soccer League. 

He argued that Nwabali needed to prove beyond doubt that he was an outstanding goalkeeper in the South African topflight before seeking a bigger move.

"I don't think Nwabali has outgrown the PSL. Chippa is fighting relegation, and for Nwabali he needed to prove at Chippa without reasonable doubt if he had outgrown the PSL. He first needs to be an outstanding goalkeeper in the PSL to outgrow it," he added. 

According to him, Nwabali's performances since the start of the current campaign have been below expectations.

"Since this season started Nwabali's performance has not been where it should have been. After coming back from the AFCON in Morocco maybe he thought he was gonna receive an offer from outside, and that didn't happen," he said. 

Motsoeneng further questioned where Nwabali would fit among the top three teams in the Premier Soccer League this campaign. 

He pointed out that Kaizer Chiefs have Brandon Petersen in strong form, Orlando Pirates rely on trophy-winning Sipho Chaine, while Mamelodi Sundowns boast Bafana Bafana’s first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

"If he is aiming to move to one of the big three where will he go? Kaizer Chiefs have Brandon Petersen who is proving this season that he is the right man for the job. At Orlando Pirates, you have a Sipho Chaine who is winning trophies and wants to be squeezed into the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad behind Ricardo Goss."

"At Mamelodi Sundowns you have the country's number 1 in Ronwen Williams. Remember you sign a foreign goalkeeper for him to be number 1, but now when you bring him to Sundowns then what must happen to Ronwen? Where will he fit in with the big three? They have no space for Nwabali. All three clubs their first choice goalkeepers have a chance to go to the World Cup," he added. 

Nwabali was one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, producing several crucial saves during the tournament. 

He notably saved two penalties in the third-place playoff to help the Super Eagles secure a bronze medal finish.

Adeyemi Adewale