The 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League has witnessed some magic moments and ABIODUN ADEWALE spotlights some of the players who have lit up the campaign with inspiring performances as the league enters match-day eight
Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United)
Second highest goal scorer in the league last season, Mizo, started the new season from where he stopped last term and he is just three goals shy off his total tally last season. The Bayelsa United striker currently leads the scorers’ chart with six goals in seven games this season and has been crowned the player of the month for September and October following his blistering start to the campaign.
Michael Olalusi (Sunshine Stars)
Every season, there is usually a new star in Akure and home-grown midfielder Olalusi is the one in the spotlight with his brilliant performance for the team so far this season. Even as a midfielder, he is rubbing shoulders with the hottest strikers in the league at the moment with five goals in seven games. He was among the nominees for the September/October LBA Player of the Month Award which was won by Robert Mizo.
Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars)
After overcoming the knock which kept him out for most part of last season, Alimi is back at Remo Stars and scoring goals for fun. In six games, the former 3SC man has notched five goals. He was also nominated for the September/October LBA Player of the Month Award which was won by Robert Mizo.
Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars)
Since joining Remo Stars midway through last season, Ismail has proven to be a kind of right full back the league hasn’t seen in years in terms of what he offers offensively. The defender currently sits top of the providers’ chart with five assists in six matches for the Ikenne side. He was also nominated for the LBA Player of the Month Award but he was Remo Stars Player of the Month for October.
Jonathan Alukwu (Sporting Lagos)
The ‘Barbie Boy’ as he is called is also having the time of his life in the league with four goals in the last four matches. The 20-year-old wasn’t on target in Sporting Lagos’ first three games of the season but he hasn’t stopped scoring since opening his account against Remo Stars on match-day four. He added one goal each against Niger Tornadoes, Kwara United and Kano Pillars.
Osayi Kingdom (Doma United)
The only goalkeeper in the mix, Kingdom as his name implies is currently living in a world of his own in the league. He stole the spotlight on match-day seven by providing two assists for Emmanuel Jesam in Doma United’s 3-0 win over Gombe United in the Savannah Derby. After six matches, the promising shot stopper has kept five clean sheets.
Samuel Tiza (Lobi Stars)
Perhaps he picks his games to shine but Tiza comes through for Lobi Stars when it matters most. He has scored two braces this season – against Sunshine Stars on match-day two and Bayelsa United on match-day four – to take his tally to four this season.
Junior Lokosa
Lokosa might have taken some time to tick in terms of goal scoring for Sporting Lagos this season, but he certainly showed why they signed him in their last four games, as he turned up with three goals – two of them against his former side Kano Pillars. Aside from this, Sporting Lagos head coach, Paul Offor has hailed the former league top scorer for his impact on the younger players in the team.
Bello Lookman (Katsina United)
The Chanji Boys might be struggling to find their feet again in the NPFL but Bello is one player who has shown he could be their most important weapon with three goals so far this season. He is among the few players to have scored a brace this season after netting twice against Sunshine Stars on match-day five.
Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers)
After seven matches this season, Enugu Rangers are living up to their rejuvenated hype with Ogunleye turning up with three goals against Remo Stars, Kwara United and Heartland in the
process.
