The 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League season came to an end with Enyimba FC lifting the trophy for the ninth time at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
Let’s look at the DigitSport Team of the season and why they made the team.
Kayode Bankole (REM), Sadiq Ismail (REM), Benjamin Tanimu (BEN), Junior Nduka (REM), Ebube Duru (RIV), Divine Nwachukwu (BEN), Ikenna Cooper (ENY), Joseph Atule (Lob), Imade Osarenkhoe (BEN), Emeka Obioma (ENY), Robert Mizo (BAY) – Finidi George (ENY).
With the highest number of clean sheets in the season, it is no surprise that Remo Stars scooped three of the five places at the back. Kayode Bankole had 11 clean sheets, at least 2 more better than any other team in the season. He made 22 starts for the club and made the joint highest appearance (3) in the NPFLInsider TOTW by any goalkeeper in the season. He is one of the four goalkeepers that saved at least a penalty in the season.
Most clean sheets – Kayode Bankole (11), Amas Obasogie (9), Jean Efala (8), Emmanuel Daniel (8)
Club captain Junior Nduka was ever present, starting every of the 23 matches (5 in the playoffs) played by Remo Stars and featured for 2001 minutes – the highest in the season by any Remo Stars player. He scored 3 goals – 2nd highest in the club and highest by any centre back in the league. Right back Sadiq Ismail provided 8 assists (the highest by a defender in the league) and was pivotal in Remo Stars’ late surge in the second half of the season.
Most minutes played
2070 – Amas Obasogie (BEN)
2045 – Sunday Anyanwu (BEN)
2008 – Sam Sodje (BEN)
2001 – Junior Nduka (REM)
Super Eagles Left back Ebube Duru stood out for Rivers United in the season. With 5 goals, he is the highest scoring defender in the season. He made the most appearances in the club and was the club’s 2nd highest goal scorer. Three of his goals were from direct free kicks while the other two were from the spot.
Bendel Insurance conceded the fewest goal per match (0.70) in the 2022/23 season – joint best with Enyimba. Benjamin Taminu was colossal at centre back for the Benin based side, assisting the club to 9 clean sheets and the unbeaten run in the regular season. With 21 starts and appearances, Benjamin was one of Monday Odigie’s trusted players. He is one of 6 players in the club that started 21+ matches in the season.
Of the 6 players that started 23 matches in the season, 4 of them play for Bendel Insurance. Of the 14 players that started every match for their clubs in the season, 4 play for Bendel Insurance.
Central midfielder Divine Nwachukwu started all 23 matches for Bendel Insurance in the season and featured for 1974 minutes – only three players had more minutes in the club. He made four assists during the regular season and three of his 4 goals in the league came in the championship play off and he was duly rewarded with a call up to the Super Eagles. He emerged the highest goal scorer in the play off.
After making just 3 substitute appearances in the first half of the season, Ikenna Cooper started all but one of Enyimba FC’s remaining NPFL matches in the run to the winning the title. He was a rock in the centre and capped his season with 2 goals.
Fewest goals conceded per match – Enyimba FC (0.70), Bendel Insurance (0.70), Akwa United (0.78)
Most clean sheets per match – Remo Stars (0.48), Akwa United (0.44), Niger Tornadoes (0.44), Lobi Stars (0.43)
Joseph Atule was Lobi Stars’ key player in the season. He was the club’s highest goal scorer with 5 goals, provided 5 assists and made 21 starts – joint best with Francis Odinaka. He was instrumental for the club in group B as they finished 2nd, progressing to the championship playoffs. He made three assists in a game (vs Bayelsa United) – a rare feat in the league.
Bayelsa United escaped relegation on the last day of the regular season but Robert Mizo’s goals were key for the Yenagoa side. He is the only Bayelsa United player that started all 18 matches for the club. He played the most with 1603 minutes and is the club’s highest goal scorer for the season. 7 of his 9 goals came in the first half – only Emeka Obioma scored more (10).
The first goal of the season was scored by Imade Osarenkhoe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The striker went on to score 8 league goals for Bendel Insurance and was pivotal in their charge to win the league. The first half of the season was fruitful for Osarenkhoe as the team went on the finish the regular season unbeaten. He featured in every game (23) for the Benin side, starting 21 matches. He scored 4 away goals – at least one more than any other player in the league.
Enyimba’s 2023 title story cannot be told without the season’s top scorer Chukwuemeka Obioma. The forward averaged a goal per match – scoring 16 goals in 17 starts (20 appearances). Only two other Enyimba players made more appearances than the former Heartland FC player. He is the only player that scored a hattrick in the season. He scored 2+ goals in 4 matches – at least 2 more than any player in the league.
The Peoples Elephant went the first half of the season without conceding a goal in Aba, before going unbeaten in their last 11 NPFL matches. Finidi George led the Aba based side to the most away wins (4) and they were amongst the highest scoring sides in the regular season (Plateau United – 25, Bayelsa United – 27, Enyimba FC – 25). Finidi’s side were the only team that scored over 30 NPFL goals in the season. Finidi will be pleased with his second season as a coach in the NPFL – leading Enyimba FC to the league title.
Photo credit: Twitter – NPFL
SoccerGunz 