Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has said football leagues across West Africa are falling behind their counterparts in South Africa and Morocco due to poor structures and low player salaries.
Speaking in an interview with Brila FM, Nwabali, who is currently without a club, noted that inadequate organisation and limited financial incentives continue to drive players to seek opportunities abroad.
“In West Africa, our leagues are not as good. We want to go to Europe, we want to come to South Africa, we want to go to Morocco,” he said.
“The league, the pay is a little bit nice for a certain level of your team. If your league is nice, you’re getting paid, you’re getting sponsors, what are you leaving for?”
The goalkeeper added that only a few clubs in the region are able to offer competitive wages, leaving many players with little motivation to remain in domestic competitions. He emphasized that stronger infrastructure and better administration have given South African and Moroccan leagues a clear edge.
Nwabali began his professional career in the Nigeria Premier Football League, featuring for clubs including Enyimba FC, Lobi Stars FC, and Katsina United FC, after starting out at Go Round FC.
He later moved to South African side Chippa United in 2022, where he played before parting ways with the club earlier this year.
Nwabali is now in search of a new team as he continues his professional career.
