Nigeria’s brightest young talents are set to take centre stage over the course of the next five months in the Nigeria Premier Football League 2023 season.
In every campaign there are always new stars who emerge and there are some incredibly talented players who are ready to become bonafide superstars.
Below we identify a young player who we believe has all it takes to become the next big thing;
Adebayo Alimi Jr (Shooting Stars): Center-back
Adebayo Alimi is a Nigerian professional football player who recently signed for Shooting Stars in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Regarded in the Nigerian media as one of the finest defenders in the NPFL, Adebayo Alimi is known for his strong, commanding and powerful physical build as a centre-back, and for being “strong in terms of concentration, anticipation and positional sense.”
The towering defender who stood out in the Nigeria Professional Football League last season while playing for MFM FC, courtesy of his marking ability, intelligence, aerial prowess, and precise tackling ability, and not forgetting his correct behaviour, capacity to read the game, and his adeptness in one v one situations; the above attributes have enabled him to establish himself as one of the best revelations in the Nigeria topflight league.
Alimi’s tactical awareness, calm composure, consistency, vision, technique and ball playing ability have recently made him to be rated as one of the best and most complete defenders in Africa at large.
Despite not being the quickest defender over short distances, the Shooting Stars new signing is also known for his pace, in addition to his timing, anticipation, and ability to read the game, and is a fast sprinter. Although he is usually utilized as a centre-back in a three or four-man backline, Alimi is also capable of playing as a full-back on the left flank.
As a result of his highly consistent defensive displays in recent years, Alimi has been given the nickname “The Wall” by fans. To add to his ability as a defender, he is also regarded very highly for his discipline both on and off the pitch, his work-rate, mentality, and dedication in training, as well as his longevity.
