The 2023/24 Nigeria Professional Football League season is set for a grand kick-off the weekend of September 9 as announced by the league's management body on 14 August, 2023.
BREAKING ❗️
The kick-off of the 2023/24 #NPFL season has now been postponed to September 9th 2023.
– The postponement is to allow enough time for the NPFL Live app and streaming related arrangements to come online…https://t.co/OXVpzwKqAT#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/IsF46jpNXA
— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) August 14, 2023
As expected, fans are eager to see their favourite NPFL players and clubs in action while asking themselves if their team stands a chance at lifting the illustrious title when the season is all said and done.
While over 400 players have been registered by the various clubs ahead of the new season, GoalBall makes a meticulous case of five players to keep an eye on ahead of the new domestic football season.
We're expecting that the selected players will justify their pre-season impression and not cave in under the weight of expectation on their shoulders as competitive action commences.
1. Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United)
The 22-year-old Bayelsa born player was one of the most impressive forwards of the 2022/23 league season. He scored nine goals to help his side remain in the league for the 2023/24 season. Bayelsa United finished 7th in Group B of the abridged season.
With Chukwuemeka Obioma out of the domestic scene, Mizo can fancy his chances of bringing home the Eunisell Golden Boot award prize as he hopes to have another profitable campaign in front of the opponent's goal.
2. Imade Osarenkhoe (Bendel Insurance)
While he emerged as the third top scorer in the NPFL last season, Imade failed to deliver for Bendel Insurance at the Super 6 playoffs which saw his side finish 5th on the Championship standings with 3 points.
The Insurance hitman can take motivation on the fact that only two players outscored him last season, and he's brimming with confidence ahead of the start of the new season, making him one of the NPFL players to watch out for.
3. Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance)
Divine Nwachukwu is expected to continue from where he stopped for Bendel Insurance last season. He was the most exciting midfielder in the Super 6 playoffs of last season earning him a place amongst the best midfielders of last season.
His performances impressed Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro enough to invite him to the camp of the Super Eagles for the AFCON qualifying match against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in June.
The attacking midfielder registered four goals last season with his overall performances impressing followers of the league. He will be looking to build on from that as his team tries to mount another challenge at winning the league this season.
4. Nyima Nwagwa (Rivers United)
The 30-year-old forward arrived at the Port Harcourt based club from Kano Pillars on a free transfer in 2021, and helped the oil city club win their first league title last season. The prolific front man was Rivers United's top scorer in the league with 7 goals.
Rivers United finished the Championship playoff with the same points as winners Enyimba FC, but with a lesser goal difference placing them third, behind Remo Stars who finished second.
Like every other season, Nyima is one of the NPFL players to look out for this season as Rivers United bid to reclaim the league title.
5. Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)
Ali is a midfield maestro and one of the highest paid players on the domestic scene. The three-time NPFL winner is easily seen as the engine room of Sai Masu Gida.
Although Ali is now on the tail-end of his illustrious career, his services will still be highly needed at Kano Pillars, making him one of the NPFL players to keep an eye on.
His many years of experience in the league and the home-based national Super Eagles team, makes the record NPFL goal scorer a carrier of much expectations even as Kano Pillars seek to bring themselves back to reckoning this season in the top-flight.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago