The recently concluded 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season was filled with fascinating games, stunning goals, and breakout stars.
Rangers emerged as champions ahead of Remo Stars, Enyimba, and Shooting Stars, securing their first title since 2016.
The Enugu side and Remo Stars will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, while Enyimba and El-Kanemi Warriors, who won the President Federation Cup, will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.
In a season where many stars shone, here is Afrik-Foot’s NPFL 2023/24 Team of the Season.
NPFL Team of the Season (TOTS)
We will line the team up in a 4-3-3 system.
Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance) – Goalkeeper
The agile goalkeeper continued from where he left off last season with fantastic saves and blocks for his team.
He kept 18 clean sheets, the highest by any goalkeeper in the NPFL this season, as Insurance conceded the fewest goals in the league (30) to prove his mettle.
Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars) – Right Back
Arguably the best right-back in the league over the past two seasons, Ismail has been immense for Remo Stars as they finished second in the league.
His crossing ability is top-notch, and he finished the season with 14 assists and one goal, earning his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers last June against South Africa and Benin.
Kenneth Igboke (Rangers) – Left Back
Plucked from the streets of Nsukka by Rangers' scouting team two years ago, Igboke has come full circle, becoming one of the breakout stars of the season.
He contributed significantly to Rangers’ title charge with his dynamism and tireless running down the left channel, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
Igboke was rewarded for his performances with a call-up to the Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers in June for the Nigeria clash with South Africa and Benin.
Junior Nduka (Remo Stars) – Centre Back
Ever-present in a Remo Stars team that pushed Rangers all the way throughout the season, Nduka’s leadership as captain and his ability to organise his back-line helped immensely in Remo’s second-place finish.
Very good in the air and a great set-piece taker, he has become one of the best defenders in the league.
Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers) – Centre Back
An unsung hero of Rangers' title win, Onyebuchi quietly went about doing his business at the back for the champions.
Plucked from Plateau United by Fidelis Ilechukwu, who himself moved from the team, Onyebuchi has made that position his own and contributed to a Rangers defence that only conceded 33 goals – the third least in the league.
Strong in the tackle and good aerially, he scored two goals and provided an assist from his centre-back position.
Chibuike Nwaiwu (Enyimba) – Midfield
A modern-day midfield enforcer, Nwaiwu has been the main man in Enyimba’s midfield for the past two seasons.
Even though he spent the latter part of the campaign as a centre-back, his work rate, ball recovery, and tackling in the middle of the park have been exemplary.
Nwaiwu’s contribution to Enyimba’s third-place finish is immeasurable, and he is always one of the first names on Enyimba’s starting line-up if fit.
Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars) – Midfield
Though not as fast as he was back in the day, the veteran has continued to evolve his game as he racks up his 22nd year in the league.
Ali, 43, has continued to defy the odds with his numbers, especially this season, as he notched up 10 goals while providing 9 assists, the second highest in the league this past season.
Though Pillars didn’t hit great heights this season, Ali was once again the standout performer in the Kano side and the league in general.
Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers) – Midfield
The left-footed teen marvel has finally begun to show his potential with some impressive displays in the colours of Rangers.
Ogunleye’s foot packs a rocket, and he has been able to run the midfield for the champions, scoring seven goals and providing six assists.
His free-kick and long-range goals always stand him out, and his performance this season earns him a spot on Afrik-Foot’s Team of the Season.
Suleiman Sani (Akwa United) – Attack
Plucked from Nigeria National League side Wikki Tourists in the second half of the season, Sani’s emergence sparked a resurgence in Akwa’s fortunes as they escaped relegation on the final day.
His direct running, skills, and eye for goals contributed significantly to help Akwa United finish a spot above the relegated teams.
Sani finished the season with 11 goals, and considering he started halfway into the season, he deserves a spot on the Team of the Season.
Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars) – Attack
A reliable goal-getter and an experienced campaigner in the NPFL, Alimi has once again produced the goals for his team.
He was neck-and-neck with Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma in the race for the top scorer’s award but fell short at the end. However, his goals, all-action style, and industry were instrumental in helping Remo Stars finish second in the league and qualify for the CAF Champions League.
Alimi notched up 15 goals and provided three assists for Remo Stars this past season, continuing to prove he can deliver.
Chijioke Mbaoma (Enyimba) – Attack
Physically imposing and a good striker of the ball, Mbaoma finished the 2023/24 NPFL season as top scorer with 17 goals and an assist, helping Enyimba finish third in the league.
The 21-year-old has been in the shadows of other strikers in Enyimba, but after the departure of his namesake Victor Mbaoma, he has taken up the mantle and excelled.
Big, strong, and difficult to knock off the ball, his all-action style in and around the box has made him a menace to defenders in the league.
Manager: Fidelis Ilechukwu (Rangers)
Ilechukwu has come full circle since his humble days at the defunct Lagos side Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) to winning the league title with Rangers.
A charismatic young coach who is leading a new band of young coaches in the NPFL, his management style has seen him get the best out of his players in all the teams he has been in.
A firm believer in attacking football, he has been able to set up Rangers to use their width appropriately and to good effect, with the likes of Kenneth Igboke, Kazeem Ogunleye, and Godwin Obaje providing the goods and goals.
Ilechukwu will be back in the CAF Inter-club competitions with Rangers after his continental experiences with MFM and Plateau United.
Substitutes
Japhet Opubo (Rangers), Gbolagade Adelowo (Shooting Stars), Pascal Eze (Enyimba), Eze Ekwutoziam (Enyimba), Godwin Obaje (Rangers), Michael Ibe (Katsina United), Christian Pyagbara (Shooting Stars).
