As the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season gathers momentum, ABIODUN ADEWALE takes a look at some of the players whose performances add profound value to their teams’ quest
Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)
At 44, Rabiu Ali isn’t showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
He started the new season from where he left off last term, scoring two goals, including a free kick in their opening weekend win over Ikorodu City.
Last season, Ali was unarguably Kano Pillars’s best player, scoring 10 goals plus nine assists in 34 games. Although there are no accurate records, he believes he has scored over 100 goals in the league.
Ali’s name will definitely go down as one of the greatest and longest-serving players in the history of the Nigerian topflight, as he is currently in his 18th season.
Ali made his league debut in 2006 with Nasarawa United before moving to Kano Pillars in 2009, where he won three back-to-back titles in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Hopefully he will be able to guide Kano Pillars back to the continent or even have another shot at the title this term.
Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars)
Even with his record assist last season, the last thing Remo Stars right back Ismail did was score a goal on the final day of the season, and he’s proving that he doesn’t only assist but could also score beautiful goals, having been on target twice in three games this season.
Interestingly, the 21-year-old’s goals have come on away soil, helping the two-time NPFL runners-up make a perfect start to the season with three wins and clean sheets in as many matches.
Ismail scored in their opening fixture against Abia Warriors and also rounded the keeper in Katsina to power Remo to a 2-0 win over Kano Pillars last weekend.
Last term, he contributed 12 assists and scored one goal, which earned him the title ‘assist king’ and also a call-up to the Super Eagles for the World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic in June.
He earned his first national team cap by coming on as a substitute in the second game against the Benin Republic, which ended 2-1 in favour of the Cheetahs in Ivory Coast.
Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United)
On their return to the top flight, Nasarawa United have scored four goals in four matches, and all the goals were scored by Yusuf.
His first of the season was during the 1-1 draw against 3SC on matchday one before the midfielder scored a hat-trick in their 4-3 home defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors on matchday three.
His hat-trick against the Maiduguri side was the first in the league this season.
Serge Obassa (Remo Stars)
After joining from AS Cotonou of the Benin Republic in August, Obassa has become a mainstay in the Remo Stars team, displacing Kayode Bankole in goal so far this season.
The Benin Republic international has featured in all their games this season, helping them keep a perfect record of three clean sheets in their first three games in the league.
Apparently, a keeper that has kept his shirt with competition from the long-serving Bankole might be another impetus for Remo’s title charge this season. Also worthy of note is the Sky Blues Stars’ defence, marshalled by captain Junior Nduka and the experienced Ifeanyi Anaemena.
Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors)
The star of the 2024 President Federation Cup final, Salihu, is having an NPFL season to remember, scoring two goals in two games for the Maiduguri side.
The 17-year-old midfielder is making his debut in the top flight this season, and he is definitely one to watch out for in the course of the campaign.
Kabiru Abdullahi (Rivers United)
Also tasting his first season in the Nigerian topflight with Rivers United, Abdullahi is fast becoming a defender’s nightmare under Finidi George. The forward has scored three goals in three games this season.
Promise Awosanmi (Sunshine Stars)
Three games, one goal, and one assist; Awosanmi is one of the hubs on which the wheels of Sunshine Stars revolve. He was a key figure in Sunshine Stars opening weekend win, scoring a free kick and setting up another goal in their 3-0 win over Bayelsa United. Scouted from a local club in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Awosanmi is hitting the heights in the NPFL in his second season with his boyhood club. So far this season, he has formed a great partnership with experienced midfielder Seth Mayi.
Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International)
After scoring eight goals plus seven assists last season, Ogunleye is gradually getting into his elements again for Rangers, who look to defend their title. The midfielder will be key to whatever they hope to achieve this season following the departure of some of the top performers that helped them win the title last season.