As the Nigeria Professional Football League 2023 season commences this Sunday, here is one player who could take the spotlight and be a great asset for his team:
Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars): Goalkeeper
Kayode Bankole is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for a Nigerian top tier club, Remo Stars and the Nigeria youth team.
Considered to be an highly gifted and promising young African goalkeeper in the Nigerian media, Kayode Bankole is an agile shotstopper, who possesses good reactions and shot-stopping abilities – thanks his height and imposing figure, and who is known for his unique handling and ability to rush off his line.
He has also drawn accolade in the media for his maturity, decision–making, and calm composure under pressure, as well as his discipline and work ethic, despite his youth; moreover, he is capable of commanding his defence effectively and is known for his penalty–stopping abilities.
Bankole has remained a very competent goalie especially with his feet since bursting into limelight for Remo Stars and helping them qualify to the topflight division in 2021. He ended the 2021/2022 season in a spectacular fashion, jointly finishing the campaign with 16 clean sheets to his name (same tally with Rivers United goalkeeper, Victor Sochima).
He is also very calm at playing the ball under pressure. He adopts the chipped pass technique whilst under pressure to find an accurate pass to his teammate. Bankole’s passing is vital to Remo Stars’ attack and advancing them up the pitch.
After impressing the Nigerian FA in his debut season in the NPFL, Kayode Bankole was called up to the Home-based Super Eagles and captained the team that lost 2-0 in a friendly tie against Costa Rica. It was notwithstanding Kayode Bankole’s biggest game so far in his career.
