Simba SC are reportedly still pushing to secure the services of Nigeria national team goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali ahead of the 2026/2027 season.
Head coach Steve Barker is said to be keen on signing the shot-stopper in order to strengthen his goalkeeping department, which currently relies heavily on Djibrilla Kassali, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
Simba previously attempted to sign Nwabali during the mid-season transfer window, but the move collapsed due to the player’s high demands. The goalkeeper has remained without a club since parting ways with Chippa United in South Africa earlier this year.
Another Simba goalkeeper, Moussa Camara, is also nearing the end of his contract and is reportedly set to join a second-division club in France, having already informed the club of his intention to leave once his deal expires.
With Kassali also nearing the end of his contract, Simba are expected to sign at least one new goalkeeper in the upcoming transfer window. If the new signing is a foreign player, it would likely mean the club will part ways with Kassali.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Yacoub Suleiman recently underwent knee surgery and is expected to remain out of action for an extended period.
Nwabali is regarded as one of Africa’s top-performing goalkeepers, having built a strong reputation through his performances in international football and in the South African league. The 29-year-old, born in Lagos, Nigeria, is known for his modern goalkeeping attributes.
Standing at around 1.96 meters tall, Nwabali is praised for his excellent shot-stopping ability, composure under pressure, and penalty-saving skills, which have made him Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper.
He rose to wider prominence during the AFCON 2023 tournament, where he played a key role in Nigeria’s strong run to the later stages of the competition, delivering standout performances in high-pressure matches.
Before his rise on the international stage, Nwabali played for several clubs in Nigeria before joining Chippa United in 2022, where his performances attracted attention from clubs across the continent.
He has been without a club since February 2026 after leaving Chippa United, making him available on the market, although his wage demands are expected to be a major consideration for potential suitors.
