The Nigeria Professional Football League is the breeding ground to some of the very best African talents in the game.
A whole host of the players will be in action over the course of the next five months as the Nigeria topflight league kick-starts this Sunday across various centers and we’ve picked out one of the players to watch out for.
Samuel Matthew (Doma United): Midfielder
Samuel Matthew is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for newly promoted Nigeria topflight club, Doma United.
Samuel mainly plays in the defensive midfield position, although he has also been used in a box-to-box role in the centre of the pitch, or even as a central defender on occasion. While he is not particularly skilful, Samuel Matthew remains a physically strong, intelligent, mobile, aggressive, and hard-tackling midfielder, who has an extremely high work-rate.
While he is mainly known for being able to provide balance to his team by supporting his more offensive-minded teammates defensively, and circulating the ball to them accurately after gaining back possession, Samuel is also a well-rounded midfielder, who possesses a powerful shot from outside the penalty box, and reliable distribution, as well as an ability to drive forward with his runs off the ball, or initiate attacks with his passing.
All these attributes also enable him to contribute offensively, or even score goals, in addition to breaking up opposition plays. Moreover, his quick reactions, as well as his brilliant positional awareness, ability to study the game, and good anticipation, enable him to flourish in a holding midfield role in front of the defence, by cutting out counter-attacks and providing shield for the back-line.
His first official debut for Doma United will come next week when his side sit at home to welcome Sunshine Stars in NPFL group B opener.
