What will keep African players in Africa over Europe - Stanley Nwabali weighs in

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has posed a pointed question to African football administrators, arguing that if domestic leagues offered decent salaries and proper structures, players would have little reason to move to foreign competitions.

Speaking in an interview with Brila FM, Nwabali made it clear that the continuous migration of talent from West Africa to Europe, South Africa, and Morocco is a direct consequence of poor conditions at home.

“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.

But his most telling remark came when he turned the question back on league organisers: “If your league is nice, you're getting paid, you're getting sponsors, what are you leaving for?”

Nwabali explained that only a handful of clubs can offer competitive wages, leaving most players with limited financial security during their short careers.

He contrasted that with the more professional setups in Southern and North Africa, where better stadiums, stronger sponsorship, and consistent organisation make domestic football attractive and sustainable.

“The league, the pay is a little bit nice for a certain level of your team,” he added, implying that for the majority, the pay is far from adequate.

The goalkeeper, who featured for NPFL clubs including Go Round, Enyimba, Lobi Stars, and Katsina United before moving to South Africa in 2022, speaks from personal experience.

He knows why players leave — because the alternative is often not worth staying for.

His message is clear: build leagues where players are properly compensated and supported, and the exodus will slow.

Until then, the question “what are you leaving for?” will continue to have an obvious answer.