The NPL’s top ten All Stars
The home boys have continued to prove their mettle with solid performances in the Nigeria Premier League and the Cup and SuperSport.com now identifies the top 10 performers in the month of July. Moses Ocheje (Goalkeeper, Sunshine Stars) Ocheje has been one of the most consistent performers for the runners up of the 2010/2011 NPL […]
The home boys have continued to prove their mettle with solid performances in the Nigeria Premier League and the Cup and SuperSport.com now identifies the top 10 performers in the month of July.
Moses Ocheje (Goalkeeper, Sunshine Stars)
Ocheje has been one of the most consistent performers for the runners up of the 2010/2011 NPL season. His reflexes, saves and ability to control his penalty area has seen him earn a reputation as one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the country.
The goalkeeper has taken his exploits to the continent where Sunshine Stars are the remaining Nigeria club in the Caf Champions’ League.
His impressive displays helped Sunshine Stars earn a point in Sousse against Etoile du Sahel as the Akure club intensify their chase for a semifinal ticket in this season’s competition.
Ocheje has been rewarded with a call-up to the Nigeria squad to face Niger Republic in Niamey on August 15.
Emma Olowo (defender, Heartland)
Intelligent, fast and powerfully-built, Olowo is your quintessential defender who will not shirk from aerial battles. He reads the game perfectly and is one of the main reasons Heartland are still in the running for a successful defence of their Federation Cup trophy.
Olowo has continued to grow from strength to strength with consistent displays for the Naze millionaires in the league and Cup this term.
Chinedu Efugh (Defender, Heartland)
The second entry from Heartland but then it would be tantamount to heresy to select ten players from the NPL and leave out veteran defender, Efugh.
The ageless Heartland captain hardly puts a foot wrong in the big matches and reads the game to perfection.
A born leader, Efugh’s aerial abilities are legendary as he weighs in with his fair share of goals every other season.
Samuel Tswanya (Defender, Enyimba)
This unheralded right-back is one of the most underrated players in the NPL.
Strong, brave and with pace to burn, the Enyimba right-back is as consistent as they come.
He hardly comes up second best in challenges and is renowned for his fierce shot.
Tswanya is also the modern right back as exemplified by his healthy goal scoring return every season.
The right-back weighed in with a fantastic brace when Enyimba defeated Samba FC 3-1 in the Federation Cup on July 18.
Rueben Gabriel (Midfielder, Kano Pillars)
Gabriel is arguably the best player plying his trade in the Nigeria Premier League this season. The Kano Pillars’ man has established himself as a regular in Keshi’s Super Eagles and was exemplary in the team’s last three international games against Rwanda, Namibia and Malawi.
It was no surprise to see Gabriel included in Keshi’s latest team to face Niger later this month.
Izu Azuka (striker, Sunshine Stars)
Azuka has impressed with Sunshine stars domestically and on the continent this season.
The former Sharks hit man has scored some brilliant goals this season and played a pivotal role as his side shocked Warri Wolves 2-1 in Warri on Matchday 35 of the NPL.
David Tyavkase (striker, Lobi Stars)
Lobi Stars have been the surprise of the NPL this season and Tyavkase is one of the reasons for the club’s unexpected meteoric rise this term.
The former Enyimba man’s close control and ability to spot the pass stands him out as a truly classy player.
He was rewarded with the DStv Man-of the-Match award for his starring role as his side shocked champions, Dolphins, 2-0 in Port Harcourt on Matchday 36.
Tony Okpotu (striker, Lobi Stars)
Experts of domestic football are unanimous the youngster’s days in the NPL are numbered as he could soon be on his way to Europe.
Okpotu is a defender’s nightmare with his guile and eye for goal.
His movement off the ball is top notch and his finishing, peerless as exemplified by his fantastic hat-trick against Sharks in the quarterfinals of the Federation Cup in July.
Victor Ezeji (striker, Sharks)
That Ezeji is still playing at the top flight is in itself a wonder.
Since making his debut with Sharks in 1995, “Nigeria’s Ryan Giggs” has refused to tire out.
Ezeji is no longer as pacy as he was when he made his debut in the league and is now been utilised in a deeper role at his club.
His passing is immaculate and his ambidextrous vision makes it easy for him to dictate the pace of the game.
The veteran has not lost his goal-scoring touch as he has regularly finished as top scorer at Sharks in the past three seasons.
He displayed the cheeky part of his game by scoring an outrageous penalty ala Antonin Panenka as Sharks knocked out Enugu Rangers from the Federation Cup with a 3-2 defeat.
Ezeji continues to be a leading light to younger players, even in opposition teams with his leadership qualities both on off the pitch.
Sibi Gwar (striker, Niger Tornadoes)
Gwar has literally dragged Tornadoes all by himself all through this season with his goals and leadership on the pitch.
The 23-year-old has scored 16 league goals this season and is a threatening to break the all-time record held by Warri Wolves marksman, Jude Aneke.