Tasked with assisting the forwards and creating scoring chances for their team, midfielders are the busiest players on the field of play. They're the players who typically travel the greatest distance during a match; without them the forwards can do little or nothing. Their role is divided mostly equally between attacking and defensive duties to control the play in and around the centre area.
At the end of the Nigeria Professional Football League season, there were some midfielders who performed immensely for their teams, and it's on this note that we have decided to compile the names of these super midfielders whose performances have worth mentioning their names as the best midfielders of the NPFL 2022-2023 season.
SEE ALSO | Best Forwards of the NPFL 2022-23 Season
Nwachukwu Divine
Upon gaining promotion to the NPFL, Bendel Insurance secured the signature of 20 year old attacking midfielder Nwachukwu Divine from Adoration FC in September 2022.
🚨A sensational #NPFL23 season for Divine Nwachukwu is toppled by a Super Eagles invite.
If you’re a club director in the NPFL, how much will you bid for the Bendel Insurance asset?!#NPFLWithMike pic.twitter.com/lpehRvMd4r
— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) June 13, 2023
Divine became a sensation in his first season at the Benin City club as he helped Adigie's side to finish top of Group A in the abridged season, and qualify for the Super Six playoffs. He had an impressive outing for Bendel Insurance in the NPFL Championship round, scoring 3 times for Insurance. He made the Championship best XI. And his stellar performances in the playoffs earned him a callup to the Super Eagles team for the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers.
Cyril Olisemah
NPFL Match Highlight 🎥
🟡 Bendel Insurance 1-1 Akwa United ⚪
🟡 Imade Osehenkhoe ⚽
⚪ Cyril Olisemah ⚽Bendel Insurance maintains unbeaten run but denied a win at home by Akwa United.pic.twitter.com/86dGL3ja2B
— HF (@hfworld_) March 30, 2023
Olisemah impressed for Akwa United in the 2023 NPFL season having just arrived in January 2023 from Saudi Arabia. The attacking midfielder found it easy to integrate into the style of play of his new team, scoring and assisting his teammates. He registered 5 goals and 2 assists for Akwa United who ranked 4th in Group A of the NPFL Abridged season. He was included in the NPFL team of the season.
Dayo Ojo
Remo Stars Dayo Ojo is one of the best midfielders of the NPFL 2023 season. The midfielder maestro, who is now a free agent, was instrumental in the Sky Blue Stars’ consecutive seasons of picking continental tickets. His presence at the centre formed a strong midfield for Ogunmodede's men, making things easier for his teammates. He was one of the reasons why Remo Stars held the ball so well in matches last season, controlling the tempo of the game, and driving the attack.
SEE ALSO | Six Best Defenders of the NPFL 2022-2023 Season
Morice Chukwu
Morice Chukwu was one of the best midfielders for Rivers United in the regular season, and also in the playoffs. As a matter of fact, Morice made the best XI team of the Championship playoffs for his displays for the Pride of Rivers.
The men that sealed Bendel Insurance’s first loss in 22 games.
Morice Chukwu and Joseph Onoja
The Rivers United men pierced the hearts of the Benin men#NPFL23Super6 #NPFL23ChampionshipPlayoff pic.twitter.com/ZZe0eIlBwu
— NPFL Tori Podcast (@NpflTori) June 9, 2023
The midfielder scored 3 goals for Rivers United in the regular season, and a goal in the Championship playoffs, to bring his total goals in the league last season to 4 goals. His only goal of the Championship playoffs set the tone for Bendel Insurance's first loss of the 2023 NPFL season.
Joseph Atule
Joseph Atule was another exciting youngster that caught the eyes of many Nigerian fans this season. The 22 year left winger who also doubles as an attacking midfielder led the midfield duties for Lobi Stars guiding through for a spot in the Super Six Playoffs. Atule was in the NPFL team of the season along with Morice Chukwu of Rivers United, and Cyril Olisemah of Akwa United in the midfield selection.
Joseph Atule was impact player for @LobiStars.
Credit to club supremo, Dominic Iorfa, who took over a team heading for relegation and steered the club to #NPFL23ChampionshipPlayoff working with Baba Ganaru.
Injuries eventually depleted Ganaru's squad. #NPFLWithOjeks
(8/8) pic.twitter.com/srDsDdhB0A
— #UzebbaCityFC (@ojeksaikhoje) June 13, 2023
Atule recorded 5 goals and 5 assists 17 appearances in the regular season which amounts to 50% involvement for Lobi Stars. At the time of writing, Atule has signed for Rivers United, he will be a player for the Port Harcourt side from next season.
Ikenna Cooper
Enyimba coach Finidi George flanked by his star midfielders Ikenna Cooper and Chibuike Nwaiwu. pic.twitter.com/nf0nzHjWhO
— Nigeria Football (@NGfooty) June 17, 2023
Enyimba signed Cooper in 2022 to bring top-level experience into the midfield for Finidi George's side. Having played in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with Ifeanyi Ubah and Heartland FC, Cooper's wealth of experience was instrumental to Enyimba's 9th league triumph in the playoffs. His performances for the People's Elephants earned him a place in the first XI of the Championship playoffs.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 months ago
