2014 will arguably be termed the best season of all in the history of the Nigeria Professional Football League. It was tough but thrilling to pick out few of those many exceptional faces who, at various stages of the NPFL season, were a delight to watch.
The country’s impressive campaign at the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa also helped showcase a few promising talents and unearthed stars that abound in the domestic league.
Despite not winning the tournament, the featured NPFL players gave a good account of themselves at the competition organised for players based in Africa.
The best of the country’s domestic football was beheld by the world with a Nigerian overwhelmingly voted the Best Player of the Tournament despite a third-place finish.
No argument, huge credit goes to the league organisers – the League Management Company - that created a level playing ground which made many players realise their potential.
Several players came out with robust performances to help their team win trophies, survive the drop and earn continental tickets.
Ejike Uzoenyi was one of the leading NPFL stars to have headlined the calendar year under review with his immaculate display, earning him the Best Player award at CHAN 2014. The former Enugu Rangers man, before he signed for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, will be remembered for doing the country proud and making the shortlist for the Caf African-based Player of the Year award.
The key stand-outs in 2014 were Dolphins’ Emem Eduok and Enyimba’s Mfon Udoh. Though both hit the ground running in the second half of the season, their superiority overshadowed many others that made their presence count last season.
Both former-Akwa United stars netted 20 goals with two games to go and equalled the all-time record set in 2010/2011. Udoh eventually emerged as the league's top scorer with a record 23 goals including six braces and 26 in all competitions for Enyimba. The 22-year-old star also found the net as Enyimba retained their Federation Cup title with a 2-1 win over Dolphins and managed a total of 41 goals in his two consecutive professional league seasons.
Edouk scored a total of 25 goals including six in Dolphins’ game against Nembe City, four in the Federation Cup, and 20 in league. The 20-year-old grabbed the valuable winner for Nigeria on his senior international debut against Ghana's Olympic side in a friendly game to launch the Uyo ‘Nest of Champions’ stadium.
Other players who distinguished themselves were Warri Wolves' forward Gbolahan Salami, who aided theSeasiders to clinch a Caf Confederation Cup ticket and also shone at the CHAN tournament with Stephen Keshi’s men. He also became a key part of the main Super Eagles squad where he scored in the 3-2 defeat to Congo in Calabar in September.
Ighodaro Osaguona also lit up the season with his impressive 16 goals for Enugu Rangers while sealing a senior national team place under Keshi.
Workaholic Kano Pillars midfielder, Rabiu Ali, who equally starred at CHAN and made the competition’s best XI also comes into focus. Popularly called ‘Pele’, he contributed 13 goals as Sai Masu Gida retained the league title for the third time in a row.
Workaholic Kano Pillars midfielder, Rabiu Ali, who equally starred at CHAN and made the competition’s best XI also comes into focus. Popularly called ‘Pele’, he contributed 13 goals as Sai Masu Gida retained the league title for the third time in a row.
Enyimba’s captain Chinedu Udoji, still without a national team call-up, but his outstanding leadership and consistent role in the heart of the Aba Millionaires’ defence in two seasons cannot go unnoticed. He has led the People's Elephant close to winning the title twice as well as winning the Federation Cup title back-to-back.
Also on the list is inspirational goalkeeping duo of Kano Pillars’ Theophilus Afelokhai and Giwa FC’s Ojo Olorunleke, both showed class in goal, keeping their various teams high up from start to finish.
While Afelokhai played a part in the holders’ title retaining run, Olorunleke helped his newly-promoted side finish in fourth place thereby earning himself a call-up to the U-20 national team.
Another is Bayelsa United’s Peter Ebimobowei, who finished as the third-highest scorer with 18 goals and helped the Restoration Boys narrowly escape relegation to the second tier.
Others deserving a mention are Adamu Hassan, whose goals in the second stanza kept Kano Pillars top, while Kingsley Sokari was another star that shone brightly in the colours of Enyimba and got rewarded with a Super Eagles’ call-up.
Also on the list is inspirational goalkeeping duo of Kano Pillars’ Theophilus Afelokhai and Giwa FC’s Ojo Olorunleke, both showed class in goal, keeping their various teams high up from start to finish.
While Afelokhai played a part in the holders’ title retaining run, Olorunleke helped his newly-promoted side finish in fourth place thereby earning himself a call-up to the U-20 national team.
Another is Bayelsa United’s Peter Ebimobowei, who finished as the third-highest scorer with 18 goals and helped the Restoration Boys narrowly escape relegation to the second tier.
Others deserving a mention are Adamu Hassan, whose goals in the second stanza kept Kano Pillars top, while Kingsley Sokari was another star that shone brightly in the colours of Enyimba and got rewarded with a Super Eagles’ call-up.
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