It’s another week of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL Transfer MailBag, and let’s get into it.
The last time you read from me was the inside gist of how Malomo Taofeek turned down various offers to stay out at Shooting Stars.
This week, we will look at deals from clubs across the country’s top-flight league.
NPFL Champions Dilemma: Winning A new Striker and Losing The Old
The best way to start the transfer mailbag is from Enyimba, where it’s a case of contrasting news from the camp of the people’s elephant as they’re bound to seal the long-term future of young talent and lose their talisman up front.
Young forward Adiele Eriugo will be offered a professional contract after impressing in his debut season in the top flight.
Eriugo, a product of the Enyimba youth system, was registered as a youth player in the just concluded season following eye-catching displays for the B team.
He scored against Remo Stars at the NPFL Championship Playoff as Enyimba proceeded to clinch their ninth league crown. The professional contract is to be signed in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Emeka Obioma is nearing a move to Esperance Tunis from Enyimba.
We are told the striker will arrive in Tunisia today to conclude further details of the move after rejecting a 1m naira per month salary from the nine-time league winners.
Still in Aba, the deals for Anthony Okachi and Desmond Ojietefian are set to be concluded as soon as the Enyimba squad resumes from a nine-day holiday this weekend.
Abia Warriors Forging Ahead Under New Management While Rangers Are In Search Of One
Staying in Abia State, Umuahia now, where the newly appointed Chairman of Abia Warriors, John Obuh, who formally took over the affairs of the club today, 19th July 2023, has appointed Ex-International, Emeka Ifejiagwa as the new Sporting Director and Coach Bethel Orji as the club new assistant coach.
Still without a general manager but with a new gaffer is Rangers Intl of Enugu as the 2016 league winners edge close to having Barrister Amobi Ezeaku back in their fold.
The UEFA Sports Management and FIFA Masters Holder, who was the Team Manager, is set to arrive in Nigeria in August to conclude the final details of his appointment as the club’s new general manager.
Rangers had failed to renew Coach Abdul Maikaba’s contract, but the veteran handler appears like he won’t be out of a job for too long with Kano Pillars in the offing.
The Sai Musa Gida board dissolved the technical crew led by Evans Ogenyi, insisting they were only hired to gain promotion. Meanwhile reports says Maikaba is set to return to the role he had in 2019.
Sticking with coaches, Aliyu Zubair has left his position as the coach of Gombe United after four seasons in charge.
His contract expired, and he has since decided not to renew while setting his sight on a new managerial position.
Transfer Mailbag: Rivers United Fortify With The Ruins OF Rangers
Back to players, captain of Rangers Intl, Uche John, and Shedrack Asiegbu have both moved to Rivers Utd.
The Pride of Rivers believes they are getting both players for experience purposes.
Another of the league’s goal-scorers, Chijioke Akuneto, joined Sekukhune Utd in South Africa.
The striker won the league’s golden boot in 2022 with 19 goals for Rivers Utd and last played at Enyimba.
Understand the player has joined up for pre-season activities.
Transfer Mailbag: Akwa United In and Outs
At Akwa Utd, Striker Sadeeq Yusuf will not be a player of the Promise Keepers for the 2023/24 season.
The player joined Akwa Utd last season under Deji Ayeni, but he is surplus to Fatai Osho’s style of play. Sadeeq told me that he is now weighing up options elsewhere.
Just as Left-back James Ajako is nearing a move to FUS Rabat on a free transfer
The defender last played for Akwa Utd also had offers from Denmark, but it’s understood that the player favors the better pay from Morocco.
In the southwest, Sporting Lagos could lose Chisom Orji and Kalu Chukwuemeka. I’m told the players are attracting interest from other clubs and are looking at exiting. Nothing concrete yet, but one to look out for in days.
Defensive midfielder Tamara Ezekiel has completed his medicals in Benin City, edging closer to becoming Bendel Insurance player.
It’s a one-year deal at 600k per month. The player rejected what I was told, a better-pay move to Rivers Utd.
However, Shooting Stars will have a new man of their own as Emeka Obiora will sign a two-year deal with the Oluyole Warriors.
Aside from the above deals that we are familiar with, it’s been somewhat of a quiet week on the transfer. This time next week we hope to see more significant movements in the league.
Thank you indeed for catching up on this transfer mailbag. As I would always say in my usual way, keep supporting the NPFL.
By Michael Imiavan.
1 Comment
The best transfer new read so far this Month.