Orlando Pirates will face competition from Royal Union Saint-Gilliose for Stanley Nwabali. Image: Goal.com
Belgian competes with Orlando Pirates for transfer target!
Orlando Pirates were already facing an uphill task for one of their top transfer targets for the next window and it just got tougher!
Orlando Pirates will face competition from Royal Union Saint-Gilliose for Stanley Nwabali. Image: Goal.com
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates were believed to be interested in Stanley Nwabali from Chippa United.
Chiefs seem to have pulled out of the race, however, leaving Pirates as the only PSL team interested in Nwabali.
Nwabali, who currently plies his trade for the Eastern Cape-based side, was a surprise inclusion as first choice for Nigeria at Afcon. This was due to the fact that he had only one cap for the Super Eagles prior to the showpiece. He would end up playing all seven games for Nigeria in Ivory Coast, keeping four clean sheets. He also played a huge role in the team finishing as runners-up at the tournament. That also saw his name and reputation skyrocket, with more European clubs reportedly on his radar, making things difficult for Chiefs.
Beyond European interest, Chiefs arch-rivals Pirates were also believed to have entered the race. In fact, this publication had reported they were willing to swap Ghana’s number one Richard Ofori for Nwabali. That deal is also thought to involve a cash exchange. Whatever the Buccaneers end up doing in their pursuit, doesn’t seem like Amakhosi will be willing to match.
Now according to Soccer-Laduma, if Pirates are still interested, one of their competitors for Nwabali is from Belgium. That comes in the shape of topflight side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise enter Nwabali race
“It’s obvious he (Nwabali) won’t be at the club next season (Chippa). It will all depend on management and where they want him to go. You know there has been local interest but the only team that had come forward is Royale Union Saint Gilloise from Belgium. For now we can say they look like the favourites unless something happens along the way. It’s not a done deal but it looks promising compared to the other ones at the moment,” said a source to the publication.
Chiefs out, Pirates only local contenders?
With Chiefs thought to be eyeing alternatives, Pirates could still try to negotiate with Chippa for Nwabali.
