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With five games to the end of the regular season in the 2022/23 abridged Nigeria Professional Football League season, the races for survival and super-six finish are hotting up with clubs jostling for available slots. As the going gets tough, ABIODUN ADEWALE takes a look at players in different positions who can shoulder the burden of their teams
STRIKERS
Emeka Obioma (Enyimba)
Enyimba might have been inconsistent so far this season, but one man that is having a season of his life is their striker, Emeka Obioma, who has scored 10 goals in 13 games already. For a season that started slowly for him, Obioma eventually broke his dock on match-day four and hasn’t slowed down since then. Enyimba have scored 16 goals so far, meaning he accounts for 75 percent of their tally. If the People’s Elephants will make the top-three in Group A, he must keep scoring.
Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United)
Bayelsa United are three points and a place above the relegation zone but they have a man that has been in contrasting form with their campaign. While they have not been decent defensively, Robert Mizo has scored nine goals already to occupy the second spot on the scorers’ chart. Mizo was the highest goal scorer for them in the NNL last season, and he might just be their saviour to keep their NPFL status this term.
Osarenkhoe Imade (Bendel Insurance)
Arguably the biggest revelation of the season, Osarenkhoe Imade has shared the spotlight with his club Bendel Insurance from match-day one. As much as the team is still a surprise package this term, Imade’s qualities are no longer in doubt even though they are yet to win a game since the start of the second stanza.
David Okoromi (Niger Tornadoes)
While the top-two teams in Group B have showed class above the rest, the other eight teams are left to fight for the remaining play-offs spot. Niger Tornadoes have been diligent in their chase and their man, David Okoromi has stood head and shoulder in their quest, scoring five out of their 11 goals so far this season.
Samuel Ayanride (3SC)
3SC’s season has been defined by fine margins as the team continue to struggle in Group A. As tough as things are for them, striker Samuel Ayanrinde has been able to weather the storm when injury ravaged their frontline. His braces against Nasarawa United and Plateau United proved enough to secure two of their four wins this season, and he must continue working to get more goals that will keep the team safe even if their top-three hopes are fading.
MIDFIELDERS
Cyril Olisema
Aside from orchestrating play from the middle of the pack for Akwa United, Cyril Olisema knows how to get into scoring positions for the Promise Keepers. Even as their strikers are firing, Olisema has proven to be more prolific with five goals already this season. His last three goals have come in matches that ended in draws for Akwa United.
Atule, Umar (Lobi Stars)
The driving force of Lobi Stars this season has come from Joseph Atule who operates from the middle and the flanks. His teammate, Abba Umar has also been a great partner and both players have notched five goals each as Lobi Stars step up their chase for a play-offs spot.
DEFENDERS
Ebube Duru (Rivers United)
Campaigning domestically and on the continent this season, Rivers United have had a lot to do to keep their heads up. While the bulk of work has been spread across the team, left back Ebube Duru has put extra on his ordinary by scoring goals even as a defender. He is deadly from set plays and has scored twice for the reigning champions this season.
Ifeanyi Anaemena (Remo Stars)
After losing three games in the first stanza, Remo Stars realized how much they needed to solidify their backline and were quick to add former Enyimba and Rivers United defender, Ifeanyi Anaemena to their team. The sturdy defender has been involved in their last four games and they have shown more stability at the back which has seen them go four games unbeaten in the second stanza.
GOALKEEPERS
Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance)
While other top goalkeepers have struggled for consistency, Amas Obasogie has been in fine form for Bendel Insurance. Hardly showing any signs of pressure during their games, the Insurance vice-captain has kept seven clean sheets so far this season while they have also conceded the lowest number of goals (seven).
Kingdom Osayi (Doma United)
Dropped by Sunshine Stars before the start of the season, former MFM goalkeeper, Kingdom Osayi went up north to team up with newly promoted side Doma. While attention has not been on them, Osayi has proved vital for the Savannah Tigers, keeping four clean sheets as they sit just a place below the top-three on goal difference. If Doma have any hopes of a fairytale debut season, Osayi will have to pull more important saves like he has done in their four away trips where they took points off their hosts.