Sparkling Stars of the NPL
by Sammy Wejinya 06 February 2012, 15:02
The 2011/2012 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season is just seven weeks old but the top stars begun to impress with their respective clubs.
A couple of unheralded names have also jumped to prominence while a coach that wasn’t given a chance to impress has also turned out to be the shrewd manager to be reckoned with.
SuperSport.com runs the rule on the stars that have impressed in the NPL so far.
Dele Ajiboye (Goalkeeper; 3SC)
The former Pontevedra CF (Spain) goalkeeper continues to exemplify the phrase, ‘cat with nine lives’ as he continues to rise from the ashes like Phoenix.
The 23-year-old claimed he did not want to renew his contract with Pontevedra CF but cynics insisted he was sacked by the Spanish Segunda side.
He endured a difficult Caf Under23 championships in Morocco where Nigeria’s Dream Team V failed to claim an Olympic ticket.
Ajiboye retraced his step back home to the Nigeria Premier League and has been a big factor for 3SC this season.
He scored the winner, from the penalty spot, against champions, Dolphins on match day 6 at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
Uche Oguchi (Defender; Heartland)
Uche Oguchi is one of the most stylish defenders in the NPL. He was an integral member of the Dolphins side that won the 2010/2011 NPL title.
Eyebrows were raised when he was released by the champions at the end of last season.
Built like an ox, the energetic star has ‘moved on’ and is now a regular at Cup champions, Heartland.
He is an important member of the ‘home-based’ Super Eagles and was recently described by Heartland coach, Lodewijk de Kruif as "one of the best defenders in the league."
Festus ‘Koboko’ Austine (Centre-back; Dolphins)
Player of the season by a mile in last season for the champions, Austine is the quintessential centre-back who can also fit in seamlessly at right-back and left-back.
The 22-year-old also weighed in last season with important goals that helped propel his side to the championship.
Austine has continued from where he left off last season and was voted man of the match as Dolphins defeated Rangers 1-0 in Port Harcourt on match day 5.
Barnabas Imenger (Midfielder; Kwara United)
The Kwara Football Academy graduate burst to limelight last season.
Strong in the tackle, blessed with great vision and the ability to hit a pin head from 25 yards, Imenger is a coach’s delight.
The youngster weighed in with a super goal as Kwara United thumped Kaduna United 3-1 on match day 6.
Josiah Maduabuchi (Midfielder; Enyimba)
Maduabuchi is perhaps the most complete player in the NPL this season.
The 22-year-old can tackle, spot a pass and score spectacular goals in equal measure.
Maduabuchi has scored four goals in the NPL this season.
Felix Benjamin (Ocean Boys; Midfielder)
A shame that this player of precocious talent is still playing his trade within the shores of the country.
Following the transfer of Chigozie Christopher to Dolphins mid-way last season, the responsibilities of steering the ship of the club away from troubled waters lay on the shoulders of this youngster.
He has not disappointed as he continues to lead from the front with big performances for the club on a consistent basis.
Victor Ezeji (Sharks; forward)
That Ezeji is still playing regularly for a Premier League club is a miracle in itself.
The veteran is one of the most important players in John Obuh’s team.
He has been top scorer for his club for the past two seasons and is still going strong this season.
Ezeji perfectly exemplifies the saying that football is played with the brain.
A perfect role model both on and off the pitch, Ezeji is an inspiration to many an NPL player this season.
Mustapha Babadidi (Gombe United; forward)
Babadidi’s goals have inspired Gombe United to the top of the table. The lightening-fast forward is quickly becoming one of the most feared marksmen in the NPL.
The attacker is the second top scorer this season with five goals from six appearances for the Desert Scorpions.
ThankGod Ike (Defender, Warri Wolves)
What will Warri Wolves do without ‘Mr Reliable?'
Ike is a defender built in the mould of Chelsea captain John Terry and Italian legend, Claudio Gentile.
The former Heartland man defends like a Spartan and will weigh in with his share of crucial goals as he did on match day 5 in this season’s NPL with a goal that got Wolves a point against Sharks in Port Harcourt.
Sanusi Sani (Striker, Gombe United)
The story of the NPL league leaders, Gombe United this season has been all about teenage strikers Mustapha Babadidi and Sanusi Sani.
Like Babadidi, Sani has also been on fire in the present campaign, scoring six goals this season.
His goal against champions, Dolphins on match day seven had the stuff of a legend written on it - a delicious finish that gave veteran shot-stopper Sunday Rotimi no chance.
The forward is in line to become one of the biggest revelations of the current season.
His well-taken hat-trick against Sharks means he is only one of three players to have achieved the same feat this season.
Bernard Ogbe (Coach, Gombe United)
The former Niger Tornadoes' trainer is quietly but efficiently going about his business at the leaders, Gombe United.
The Desert Scorpions have been one of the most attractive sides in this season’s championships.
With a lean budget and unheralded youngsters, Ogbe has built an aesthetic but highly efficient side that look good to stun many this season.
The club’s 5-0 demolition of Sharks on match day five was a perfect display of attacking football of deadly efficiency.
He has also made two relative unknown players in Babadidi and Sani, the most sought after strikers in the top flight.
Ogbe is highly respected and much loved by his players and his tactics continue to astound many this term.