𝗕𝘆 𝗘𝗷𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗼
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2023/2024 season burst into life last Saturday, showcasing the talents of some extraordinary players who left their mark on the pitch.
Here’s a glimpse of the exceptional players who dazzled in the opening fixtures:
𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘇𝗼 (𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Mizo started the season with a bang, netting a remarkable hattrick in Bayelsa United’s thrilling 5-3 victory over Akwa United. He not only claimed the Man of the Match award but also carried home the match ball as a testament to his stunning performance.
𝗡𝘄𝗲𝗸𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝘂 (𝗘𝗻𝘂𝗴𝘂 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀):
Kalu marked his official debut for Enugu Rangers with a crucial goal, securing a 2-1 win against Doma United. His outstanding display earned him the Man of the Match honors.
𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹 (𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀):
Goalkeeper Lawal was a fortress in the Sunshine Stars’ defense, preserving a clean sheet in their 1-0 triumph over Kano Pillars in the NPFL’s opening fixture.
𝗢𝗴𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝘆𝗶 (𝗔𝗸𝘄𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Despite Akwa United’s loss to Bayelsa United, Seyi made a spectacular debut by scoring a brace, showcasing his scoring prowess.
𝗛𝗮𝗱𝗶 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱 (𝗔𝗸𝘄𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Mohammed introduced himself with style, scoring a brilliant goal on his debut by dribbling past two defenders and beating the goalkeeper.
𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗺 (𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Despite losing 2-1 to Shooting Stars, Pam made an impact by providing an assist on his Plateau United debut.
𝗢𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 (𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀):
Emmanuel was in fine form, scoring the first goal of the season during Sunshine Stars’ 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars.
𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗸𝗮𝘄𝘂 (𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Ekawu showcased his playmaking skills, providing an assist in Doma United’s 2-1 defeat against Enugu Rangers.
𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗢𝗴𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮 (𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀):
Ogbonna’s debut goal secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Plateau United.
𝗕𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶 𝗢𝘄𝗼𝗸𝘂 (𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Owoku marked the scoresheet for Doma United with a goal in their 2-1 loss to Enugu Rangers.
𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻 (𝗞𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Lukman played a pivotal role by firing Katsina United to a 1-0 win over Kwara United, making an impressive debut after joining from Abia Warriors.
𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗷𝗮𝘄𝗮 (𝗟𝗼𝗯𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀):
Ajawa made an immediate impact, scoring the opening goal on his debut against Heartland in a thrilling 2-2 draw away from home.
𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶 (𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Despite his team’s loss, Osayi put on a goalkeeper’s masterclass, making 8 saves against Enugu Rangers.
𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗮 (𝗟𝗼𝗯𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀):
Odinaka left spectators awestruck with his stunning long-range goal in the 2-2 draw against Heartland.
𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗼 𝗔𝘆𝗲𝗺𝘄𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲 (𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝗴𝗼𝘀):
Ayemwenre etched his name in history by scoring Sporting Lagos’ first-ever goal in the NPFL during their debut game against Gombe United.
𝗘𝘇𝗲𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮 (𝗞𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱):
Chidera shone in his role as right back during Katsina United’s 1-0 win against Kwara United, earning recognition as the best player on the pitch.
𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗲 (𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀):
Captain Vincent Temitope made a triumphant return to the starting lineup after 9 months, dazzling fans on the wing during Sunshine Stars’ 1-0 win against Kano Pillars.
𝗡𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗿𝘂 𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 (𝗘𝗻𝘂𝗴𝘂 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀):
A fan favorite, Ibrahim showcased his exceptional midfield skills during Rangers’ 2-1 win over Doma United.
These amazing stars have set the stage for an electrifying NPFL season, promising more thrilling moments and exceptional performances in the matches to come.
