Super Eagles star, Ekigho Ehiosun, remains the biggest NPL export after his transfer to Turkish side, Samsunspor. However, players like Nduka Ozokwor and Fred Okwara had earlier headed for Turkish sides, Mersin Idmanyurdu. and Adanaspor, respectively.
In the days ahead, more players will secure contracts at foreign clubs.
SuperSport.com’s Ojeikere Aikhoje profiles the ‘NPL XI’ who might be out of the country when the new season begins.
1. George Akpabio (Plateau United)
Plateau United forward, George Akpabio, is presently the biggest Nigeria Premier League star abroad.
Akpabio’s brilliant performance in front of goal has made him the highest goalscorer with 14 goals, which has attracted interest from several teams in Europe and South Africa.
An unamed South Afican Premier Soccer League team was ready to through him into the fray after medicals, but Akpabio had his eyes on a place in Europe.
Stavanger based Norwegian top flight team, Viking, moved ahead of other suitors to show their readiness to acquire Akpabio s rights from Plateau United.
Akpabio is presently training with the club under the watchful eyes of gaffer, Age Hariede, who is happy that the Nigerian has finally arrived Stavanger.
“This is the biggest break of my soccer career. The Nigeria Premier League has made me a better player and it’s the ambition of every footballer to play Europe. I intend to maximise the opportunities available, Akpabio, who is in his first term in the NPL told SuperSport.com. Stavanger based newspaper; Rogalands Avis, has already profiled Akpabio.
The Plateau United star is blessed with pace, sublime skills, brilliant first time touch, powerful shots, deadly finishing and accurate in one-on-one situations.
Position: Forward, Support Striker, Winger
Club: Viking Stavanger (Norway)
2. Bassey Akpan (Heartland)
Akpan has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the Nigeria Premier League after representing Nigeria at the 2001 Fifa Under-17 World Cup, in Trinidad and Tobago.
He has played for Bayelsa United and Kwara United before heading for Heartland.
Akpan was in goal when Nigeria won the inaugural Wafu Cup and is a fringe member of the Super Eagles. The impressive performance of the Super Eagles duo of Vincent Enyeama and Dele Aiyenugba means other NPL goalkeepers will have to wait for sometime to get their chance in-between the sticks. South Africa’s Premier Soccer League side, Platinum Stars have given him a chance to begin a career outside Nigeria. However, he must convince gaffer, Owen Da Gama, to get a contract.
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Platinum Stars (South Africa)
3. Oke Akpoveta (Warri Wolves)
Warri Wolves star, Oke Akpoveta, was earlier tipped to replace compatriot, Anthony Ujah, at Norwegian side, Lillestrom. Akpoveta is one of the best stars in the NPL got another chance to convince officials of Denmark s biggest football club in Denmark, Brondby IF.
Wolves will miss Akpoveta who has been wonderful this term.
Position: Forward
Club: Lillestrom (Norway), Brondby (Denmark)
4. Effiom Otu-Bassey (Bukola Babes)
Effiom Out-Bassey is one of the revelations of the NPL this term.
Bassey moved to the NPL with his newly promoted team, Bukola Babes, and became an instant hit. He joined the club in 2009 and has remained an integral member of the squad.
The youngster has combined well with his teammates to embarrass the household names in the country. He played a vital role as Bukola Babes set an eight-match unbeaten run and has scored five goals before his departure to Norway.
Position: Midfielder
Club: Lillestrom (Norway)
5. Sani Aruwa (Kaduna United)
Aruwa has made significant contribution to the success of Kaduna United. However, he has been unable to play in any role since the club kicked off its campaign in the Group stage of the Caf Confederations Cup.
Position: Midfielder
Clubs: Super Lig side, Eskisehirspor and two Lig 1 clubs, Boluspor and TKI Tavsanli Linyitspor. (Turkey)
6. John Nnam (Enugu Rangers)
Experienced John Nnam is one of the few goalscoring defenders in the NPL.
Nnam s best asset is his ability to score free kicks like Heartland s Super Eagles full-back, Chibuzor Okonkwo and Bukola Babes Fade Adebayo. His ability to overlap has been very beneficial to Rangers. Nnam’s experience will be useful to any European team.
Position: Right Full back and Midfielder
Club: Mersin Idmanyurdu. (Turkey)
7. Ifeanyi Egwim (Enugu Rangers)
The enterprising Ifeanyi Egwim joined Enugu Rangers during the mid-season break to replace Fred Okwara who moved to Turkey and Uche Nwofor, who has spent more time with the Under-20s.
Egwim was expected to develop gradually, but the youngster became an instant hit at the club. His performance attracted the attention of foreign scouts, who shipped him abroad.
Position: Forward
8. Kingsley Nwankwo (Ocean Boys)
Nwankwo was surplus at Enugu Rangers and shipped to NPL rivals, Ocean Boys.
Interestingly, he rediscovered his form at Ocean Boys and scored some great goals for the former league champons. Nwankwo has been able to score despite the departure of Charles Omokaro to Warri Wolves and later Christopher Chigozie to Dolphins.
Position: Forward
9. Gbenga Arokoyo (Kwara United)
Arokoyo, a player of Kwara Football Academy, who is on loan at Kwara United, is back in the country after losing his place at Nigeria s Under-20 team in Columbia.
Despite his failure to make the grade, South African side, SuperSport United is still interested in his services. SuperSport United made enquiries after his impressive performance at the Africa Youth Championship in South Africa. The club is satisfied with his form and wants him for medicals.
Gabala coached by England and Arsenal legend, Tony Adams, had earlier invited Arokoyo to Turkey just before he joined the Flying Eagles. The defender is yet to decide on his next destination.
Position: Central Defender
Club: SuperSport United (South Africa), Gabala (Azerbaijan)
10. Uche Nwofor (Enugu Rangers)
Enugu Rangers star, Uche Nwofor, is a target of some unnamed South African sides and European giants, Benfica. Nwofor was top scorer at the Africa Youth Championship, in South Africa, where scouts of PSL teams monitored his performance.
Enugu Rangers boss, Alphonsus Dike said that Nwofor has the ability to score goals for any team.
“I recommended him to the Flying Eagles coach and he has been exceptional. We’re prepared for life without him because I know he will soon get a foreign deal,” Dike said.
Position: Forward
Club: Benfica (Portugal) 11. Philemon Daniel (Kwara United)
Daniel, who excelled at the Africa Youth Championship in South Africa, is another target of SuperSport United. He is with the Nigerian Under-20 team at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup, in Columbia.
Position: Midfielder
Club: SuperSport United (South Africa)
Culled from Supersport.com
