The 2023/2024 NPFL season is fast approaching. As pronounced by the newly inaugurated NPFL board, the new season is set to begin at the end of August 2023 with some youngsters expected to shine.
While the teams are gaining fitness and perfecting their tactical plans in the various pre-season tournaments, the fans are also having the opportunity to see what their team will look like in the coming season.
This has also allowed us to see a couple of youngsters who will shine brightly in the coming season.
NPFL Youngsters: Eriugo Adiele (Enyimba)
For Enyimba fans that saw Adiele at last season’s NPFL Championship playoff in Lagos, one thing they would have seen in the player is hunger and willingness.
The attacking midfielder certainly added more bite to the Enyimba attack. His control of the game, the runs behind the striker and the work rate to help out defensively has won the heart of Finidi Goerge for Adiele.
The academy product only made his debut for the Elephants in March against Bendel Insurance and scored his first goal against Remo Stars in the championship playoffs.
As a reward for the hard work he put in to ensure Enyimba were crowned champions in 2023, the club offered the 16 year old his very first professional contract.
With so many competitions awaiting Enyimba in the coming season including the CAF Champions League, Adiele will play a key role as they pursue more trophies.
Kenneth Igboke (Rangers)
Rangers have had the likes of young JayJay Okocha, young Christian Chukwu play for them and in the same tradition they are still producing starlets for the league. The most recent of those will be left back, Kenneth Igboke.
Kenneth is an 18 year old full back dubbed the name ‘Marcelo’ by fans of the club because of his mobility and desire to enjoy the attack at every chance. The teenager was produced by the Rangers feeders team and was promoted to the first team in 2023 adorning the usual left back jersey number, 3.
Since his promotion to the first team, Kenneth has featured 15 times for the club in all competitions – the league and the FA Cup with his debut coming against Niger Tornadoes.
Despite Rangers poor season last term, he was one of the few shining lights and helped the club to the finals of the FA Cup where they lost to Bendel Insurance.
Under Fidelis Ilechukwu who himself has produced lots of talents in his time with MFM FC, Kenneth will be at the forefront of his plans in the coming season.
Ayomide Ogungbe (Remo Stars)
Ayomide did shine at the post-season tournament -Naija Super 8. The attacking midfielder was thrown into action anytime Remo Stars needed solidification in midfield which shows the trust Daniel Ogunmodede has in him.
The 19 year old joined Remo Stars’ academy – Beyond limit in 2021 and in March 2023, he was promoted to the first team.
Ayomide is already a winner at his age. He is a three time The Creative championship league title winner, 2022 Viareggio Cup MVP and also won promotion to the second tier – Nigeria National League from the National League.
With the project on-going at Remo Stars, Ayomide’s mentality is a good addition to the squad and with an aging Dayo Ojo who just extended his contract by a year still in there, the academy boy might just be the perfect fit and replacement.
Wisdom Ndon (Akwa United)
When this teenager made his debut for United in Uyo against Shooting Stars last season on match day 10, he instantly became a fans’ favourite. Ndon had used his wisdom to become not just the player every fan wanted to see but the player first on the squad list every match day since then.
Just like the man – Deji Ayeniwho gave him the limelight described him, Wisdom is “highly phenomenal.” His usage of the ball like a modern centre back, his physicality despite looking lanky, his aerial ability are what makes this 17 year old priceless.
Ndon who was grabbed from Ibom Youths has played 8 times for the Promise Keepers in the league and under a new manager, Fatai osho, he remains a starter for the team as seen in the Naija Super 8 where he made 4 appearances.
The defender is a big prospect for the team in the coming season and like his role model, Olisa Ndah wrote history with the club in 2021 by winning their first NPFL title, Ndon will aim to write more history with the club.
NPFL Youngsters: Seun Odunsi (Remo Stars)
Another Remo Stars’ player on the NPFL Youngsters list. Seun first joined the club in 2019 and went through the ranks of the academy winning two The Creative Championship titles.
The versatile player was first promoted to the first team in 2021 but didn’t feature for the club. And in 2023, he got his place finally in the team and owned three different positions – the left back, left wing back, right wing and central midfield.
He has not only won the heart of his coach but also that of the fans who indeed voted him as the club’s player of the month for April 2023. In the same month, he scored his first goal for the club against Kwara United.
In the championship playoffs, Seun was entrusted with the job to ensure fluidity and balance in the left side of defense and attack. His efforts ensured Remo Stars finished in the highest position ever in their history; a second place and a debut in the CAF Champions League.
With Ogunmodede looking to play the 3-5-2 more in the coming season, Seun will battle with namesake Seun Ogunribide for a starting shirt on the left side and more importantly hope to help Remo Stars win their first ever league title.