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By Abiodun Adewale
After a dexterous year in the Nigeria Premier Football League, PUNCH Sports Extra picks a formidable XI from the Nigerian topflight in a 4-3-3 formation
GOALKEEPER
Amas Obasogie, Bendel Insurance
Bendel Insurance goalkeeper and Super Eagles invitee, Obasogie, edged a close contest with other in-form goalkeepers in the league in 2023 to earn a place between the sticks in the best XI of the year. Thanks to his superior 19 clean sheets and 22 goals conceded in 38 games in 2023, Obasogie beats off Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars who had 18 clean sheets and conceded 25 goals in 35 games, as well as Doma United’s Kingdom Osayi who also kept 18 clean sheets and conceded 23 goals in 33 matches.
The 23-year-old was instrumental to Insurance’s 21-game unbeaten run last season. The goalkeeper also made crucial penalty saves in their FA triumph.
DEFENDERS
Sodiq Ismail, Remo Stars
Right full-back Ismail is fast changing the game of how full backs should operate in the NPFL, ever since he hugged the spotlight midway through last season for his assists. The Remo Stars Academy product is known for his dashing forward runs and superb crosses which earned him eight assists last season. This time around he has taken his assists to double figures, with 10 already this season.
Benjamin Tanimu, Bendel Insurance
The second Bendel Insurance player in this team is 21-year-old fearless centre back, Tanimu. During the famed 21-game unbeaten run of Insurance, he was ever-present in making their defence hard to break and was rewarded with a call up to the national U-23 team. Apart from his disciplined defensive abilities, Tanimu is also a threat in dead ball situations, as he has contributed to few of Insurance’s goals from such situations. This season, he has two goals.
Junior Nduka, Remo Stars
Ever present Remo Stars captain, Nduka is a fit partner for Tanimu in the heart of the defence. Last season, the 22-year-old scored three goals and also provided one assist to propel Remo Stars title charge in which they fell short on goal difference to Enyimba. During the play offs, he scored a sublime freekick against Enyimba to show his deadliness on dead balls just as he is a threat in the air when others are delivering as well. He has one assist so far this season as the Sky Blue Stars continue to push for their first NPFL title.
Other contenders with Nduka and Tanimu are Ifeanyi Onyebuchi of Enugu Rangers who scored four league goals during his time with Plateau United last season and Enyimba defender Somiari Alalibo who was limited to 14 games last season and has scored twice this season.
Daniel Itodo, Plateau United
While Ifeanyi Onyebuchi bagged four goals last season at Plateau United, some of the goals were assisted by full back and long throwing specialist Itodo. In 15 appearances last term, Itodo contributed three goals for the Jos side and has also provided two assists in 14 appearances this season. His inclusion in this team also comes with the threat he poses with his long throws.
Former Akwa United left back, James Ajako, comes close to Itodo in the position with his three goals and three assists last season. Ajako now plays for FUS Rabat in Morocco.
MIDFIELDERS
Cyril Olisema, Akwa United (Now in Ethiopia)
Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, winger or even a second striker, former Akwa United man, Olisema, has proven to be one of the best midfielders out of the Nigerian topflight. During his time with the Promise Keepers last season, he contributed five goals and few assists to stand out among other midfielders in the league, even as he now plays in Ethiopia. Olisema was also a dead ball specialist who scored free kicks and also fancies long range efforts.
Joseph Atule, Enyimba
While at Lobi Stars last season, Atule shone even while bereaved. He had five goals and five assists last season for the Benue side and it was not surprising to see Enyimba snap him up before the start of this season. Like Olisema, Atule can operate on the wings and also play as an attacking midfielder. He has scored one goal for Enyimba in 12 games this season.
Another player that comes close to Atule and Olisema for a spot in the midfield is Olamilekan Adedayo of Remo Stars who has a combined three goals and three assists in 26 matches in 2023. His belter of a goal against Rivers United during the Super 6 play offs and the moment of madness that followed remains epic.
Jide Fatokun, Remo Stars
From Kwara United to Remo Stars in 2023, Fatokun has never lost his place as a preferred defensive midfield choice, having played in all possible 34 games, missing only three minutes out of the total 3,060 minutes – that was when he was substituted in the 87th minute during Remo Stars 2-0 win over his former club Kwara United this season.
While playing for the Ilorin side last season, Fatokun scored a goal and also provided an assist, with both coming in their 2-1 away win over El Kanemi Warriors in February. In terms of discipline, he has only been cautioned three times in 2023.
FORWARDS
Robert Mizo, Bayelsa United
With nine goals last season during the abridged league and 10 goals already this term, Bayelsa United striker, Mizo, leads the way in a three-man attack. With 19 goals altogether, no player has more goals than Mizo in the NPFL in 2023. The nine goals the 23-year-old contributed last season were crucial to Bayelsa United’s survival just as he is doing the same this season, having scored 50 per cent of their goals in the league so far this season.
Sikiru Alimi, Remo Stars
After an injury-plagued spell with 3SC last term, Alimi returned to Remo for a second stint with the Ikenne side and has been in incredible form this season. His 11 goals in the 16 match-day-old 2023/24 season put him on top of the scorers’ chart. Not scoring last season couldn’t even stifle the 27-year-old out of this team as he has done enough so far to steer clear of others.
Emeka Obioma, Enyimba (Now in Tunisia)
Though he is no longer an NPFL player, Emeka Obioma’s last season’s incredible run at Enyimba during the regular season and the Super 6 play off still makes him a choice in the calendar year. The former Enyimba striker scored 16 goals in total last term (14 during the regular season and two during the playoffs) to become the golden boot winner. He was also awarded last season’s Player of The Year honour by the League Bloggers. He was reported to have joined Tunisian side Esperance in July.
COACH
Title-winning coach, George Finidi, fits the bill to manage an NPFL XI of 2023 after also lifting a record-extending ninth title with Enyimba in the year under review. Finidi, who also doubles as an assistant coach with the Super Eagles guided Enyimba to the title in his second attempt as they edged Remo Stars on goal difference during the playoffs.
Despite their shaky start to life this season, Enyimba have weathered the storm under the former UEFA Champions League winner and they are currently three points behind leaders Remo Stars while they have two outstanding games. Despite losing some of his title winning players, how far they have come towards the end of 2023 shows the character of champions in Finidi’s team and that is what a star-studded side like this needs.