By Michael Madyira
Following an impressive outing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament with Nigeria, Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was recently honoured with the chieftaincy title in his home village in Rivers State.
So if you ever meet him, refer to him as “Chief Stanley Nwabali Ugoh Egbema 1 of Onelga”.
His Royal Majesty, Nzeobi Amida, the ruler of the Mgbede community in the Egbema Kingdom, conferred Nwabali with the prestigious title after the player helped Nigeria reach the Afcon final.
That included his semi-final heroics that denied Bafana Bafana a place in the final of a tournament where he kept four clean sheets in seven starts.
The 27-year-old now carries the title Ugo Egbema, which means “The Pride of the Egbema Kingdom” as he joins the Onelga Council of Chiefs.
There was pomp and fanfare as His Royal Majesty Nzeobi Amida laid his hands on the Chilli Boys custodian.
A huge crowd attended the crowning ceremony and the goalkeeper had a tough time navigating his way to a waiting vehicle after the event.
His Royal Majesty Nzeobi Amida said Nwabali got the title as recognition for prestigiously placing the Egbema Kingdom on the map with his Afcon performances.
Carrying a chieftaincy title is an honour in Nigerian society.
Before being conferred with the title, Nwabali was rewarded with N20-million (about R243,000) by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in recognition of his Afcon exploits.
Fubara also honoured the shot-stopper with the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State.
“I want to join the great and wonderful people of Rivers State to congratulate you, our brother Stanley Nwabali and our wonderful team,” Fubara said, according to Afrik-Foot.
The rich pickings did not end there as the Afcon silver medalist, together with his Super Eagles teammates, were each awarded an apartment and a plot of land by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
They were also honoured as Members of the Order of the Niger by Tinubu.
Nwabali has become hot property as clubs in Belgium and France as well as Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly keen on signing him.
He arrived back to a rousing welcome in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape earlier this week after being given some time off following a gruelling Afcon campaign.
Pictured above: Chippa United and Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Image source: Stanley Nwabali – Facebook
