by George Akpayen 08 March 2013, 05:46


The 2012/13 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) kicks off this Saturday with the southeast derby between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba but supersport.com combs the nation's top flight to unearth youngsters with precocious talents who will light up the championship this term.

In spite of Kaduna United and defending champions, Kano Pillars, missing out on signing a super talent in Moses Daddy-Ajala Simon, here's a handful of youngsters to watch in this campaign:

Zuzu Benjamin (Nembe City)

He is an exciting midfielder, who was instrumental in City's promotion to the top flight. Zuzu was snapped up from the youth ranks of rivals, Bayelsa United last season. His vision and composure on the ball puts him in a good stead to put up a fine display in the NPFL.

Abu Azeez (Kwara United)

He joined Kwara United from Bridge FC in December. Azeez is a key member of Nigeria's beach soccer team, the Supersand Eagles, but will make his debut in the top flight this term. The striker is pacy and swift on the turn with the ball and will trouble many defenders. He can also hit the ball with precision.

Isa Aminu (Kaduna United)

This left-footed defensive midfielder will wow followers of the NPFL this term with his pace, guile, defensive ability and ball distribution skills. The former FC Abuja is making his debut in the top flight.

Bobby Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba)

Six-time champions, Enyimba, landed this teenage midfielder in what many have described as a coup considering that he was spotted at grassroots tournament in Rivers where rivals, Dolphins and Sharks, are based. Sokari's style of play is likened to that FC Barcelona star, Andres Iniesta and the People's Elephants have a player to help them orchestrate their offensive moves this season.

Precious Omodu (Kaduna United)

Omodu, 18, is elegant when on the ball and his lanky frame does not inhibit his ball distribution skills and feints. Last term, the teenager was farmed out on loan to National League club, Spotlite FC by Kaduna United to continue his football education. The offensive midfielder is now ready for the rigours of the top flight.

Ichull Lordson (ABS)

Lordson is a powerful holding midfielder, who harries his opponents and tackles well. He is full of energy and running and can play in a roving role in the middle of the pack. He is one of several players at ABS from the Kwara Football Academy (KFA).

Osagona Ighadaro (3SC)

In pre-season, Ighadaro has not just been only impressive but lethal in front of goal. He scored 17 goals in 21 appearances to emerge 3SC's leading scorer in pre-season. He is capable of re-enacting same scoring form as his shooting skills is talk of the town in Ibadan.

Happy Okuoka (Heartland)

He had heads turning in awe during the Super Four with his performance for Heartland. He capped his display with two goals at the pre-season tournament in Kano. Okuoka also scored against Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, to help his team win the Super Cup in December. The striker, who joined the Naze Millionaires from Lagos team, Paddysco FC, is clinical in front of goal and skilful.

Christian Pyagbara (Sharks)

The Blue Angels will definitely miss this skilful midfielder as he is away on international duty with Nigeria's Under-20 team in Algeria. The teenager has a sweet left foot and is a natural number 10 with an eye for goal. He is expected to add impetus to Sharks' campaign when he returns from international duty.

Thompson Ezekiel (Enugu Rangers)

He was in the radar of Cameroonian club, Cotonsport before he was snapped up by Enugu Rangers. The former El-Kanemi striker is adept in holding up play and bringing his teammates into the scheme of things. Ezekiel also scores goals.



http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/130308/Stars_to_watch_in_NPFL_this_term

nice

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3RD to comment


After the performance of the home based players @ afcon, that's y we r nw being encouraged to watch their matches abi ... #cool story .

Im here o. I mean fp

Wat of mba?

GOD FORBID BAD TIN.... TUFFIIAAKWAAA

Now seriously following the NPL... Good for Nija's football

Hmnnnn, I can't recognize any of the names mentioned above.

I guess it's cos I don't watch NTA

@OP, no vex oh.

Bash Me: GOD FORBID BAD TIN.... TUFFIIAAKWAAA

But y?

You forgot 2mention yakubu aiyegbeni,farouk lawal and femi otedola.

nice one. i have actually seen some of these players play

Unknown Member: Watch them where?!


EPL done stop to show for Naija abi wetin?!

MTCHEEEEWWWW!

To watch here is not physical watch-But if you insist, then I am sure they've all got grounds (stadia) where they all play their games.

Am loving the hype about τђΞ local league lately

Am going to be on the look out ƒoя τђΞ sharks guy, Pyabara currently with the U20 team he is α superkid

Then the Rangers duo of Egbeta from Warri wolves I guess & Ezekiel

#TeamflyingAntelopes

Enyimba al the way!!!....

Picshures nko? NPL should pay Seun for this patriotic job. Kudos.

Afam4eva: [size=14pt]All the Enugu Rangers fans should congregate here https://www.nairaland.com/1219970/enugu-rangers-fan-thread-flying[/size]

I seriously love Rangers. Rangers was the tonic we Biafrans use to forget the impact of the war in those days. God!, they did us all proud, despite all the odd.
I use to travel all the way from England to watch all Rangers cup final in the 70s and early 80s. Though I am from what they call Imo now but its Rangers or nothing else.

Eziachi:
I seriously love Rangers. Rangers was the tonic we Biafrans use to forget the impact of the war in those days. God!, they did us all proud, despite all the odd.
I use to travel all the way from England to watch all Rangers cup final in the 70s and early 80s. Though I am from what they call Imo now but its Rangers or nothing else.

Rangers was a team supported by a lot of people from the eastern region. Even a lot of Heartland and Enyimba fans still support Rangers.

ypzilanti: Picshures nko? NPL should pay Seun for this patriotic job. Kudos.

The way the EPL, La Liga has been paying?

Bash Me: GOD FORBID BAD TIN.... TUFFIIAAKWAAA

you're Ω̶oτ even better than those guys on the list in all ramifications...ode mumu oshi *in spartacus voice*

Since relegation of Bendel Insurance to Division 2......Ama support Rangers now!!!!

The following should be enforced to strengthen the NPL ;
1,Private sponsorship and ownership of team like in the days of Julious berger FC, ACB fc,concord united, iwuannyawu united,BCC Lions etc

2,Matches should be on TV

3, Jerseys and other souvenirs should be made available.

4, Promoting the league through the media and social media ie nairaland and facebook and twitter

Na 'Tiyi Es Si' I dey o and we are going to show them we are the Soccer Warriors for Nigeria.
Let the vibe for our local league begin. We can't all be sponsoring other leagues and leave ours in shambles. Na local boy carry the day for Nigeria about 31 days ago.
Eh Enyimba, Rangers and co, abeg mind ya self o. 3SC na team to watch closely.

Up Up Sooootttttttiiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!!!!
Down Down ..... Me no talk anything o

Jesuspikin87: Since relegation of Bendel Insurance to Division 2......Ama support Rangers now!!!!

Its Div 1 and not Div 2

Plus Emeka Eze jnr. Even Keshi spotted him out @ Abuja, Super Eagles Camp

Enyimba fans should meet here: https://www.nairaland.com/1220486/enyimba-fans-thread

Honeric, keep it up. I like the new vigour with which we are using to follow our league.

Honeric thanks for the good job. I used to watch local matches when i was in enugu and portharcourt but now i am in lagos and no teams to watch. Nigerian league used to be interesting to watch because you could access the players yourself and i used to watch Taribo west back then and there was a player i used to love Efosa Eguakun and i was shocked to hear he was dead. Nigerian league can kill so many talents