Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) is already looking like a place where foreign footballers, especially those from other African countries, could find greener pastures.
As reported by Complete Sports, 25
foreign players where registered in the league 2014/15 season, but as I write
now, the number has increased to 37 in the current season – with Ifeanyi Uba FC
spearheading the registration of six Brazilians and Enugu Rangers fortified their
team with four Cameroonian stars
NPFL is indeed very competitive with
it’s own peculiar style and pattern of play which the foreign players aren’t so
familiar with and couldn’t adapt to easily. But here we present in descending
order the exclusive profiles of the top
10 foreign players that has been so outstanding in the league:
1. ADAMA COULIBALY (MALI):
DEFENDER, WARRI WOLVES
The versatile player has found a new
home in Warri. Coulibaly joined Warri Wolves from Malian side, CD Duugouwolo
Fila Bamako and has grown to become one of the best foreigners in the Glo
Premier League.
Despite the high turnover of coaches
at Wolves, he has become a regular figure at the club.
2. GODBLESS ASAMOAH (GHANA):
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER,RIVERS UNITED
The talented player joined Dolphins
from Ghanaian side, Medeama SC in March last year. Dolphins beat off the
challenge of Ghanaian giants Accra Heart of Oak and Asante Kotoko to sign the
player.
Asamoah played a crucial role for
Medeama in the CAF Confederations Cup last two season. Referred to as one of the
talented players to have come out of Ghana in the last two years, he has scored
three goals this season.
3. ZOUMANE DOUMBIA (MALI):
DEFENDER, HEARTLAND
DEFENDER, HEARTLAND
Zoumane Doumbia arrived Heartland
along with four other unknown African Stars in 2014, but is today one of the
most popular and consistent players at the club.
Zoumane seized the left-back
position from former Super Eagles defender and CHAN 2014 star, Benjamin
Francis, who later left for Israel.
He was also nominated for the
Nigerian League Bloggers Awards last season.
4. HASSAN HUSSEIN (CHAD):
FORWARD, EL-KANEMI WARRIORS
FORWARD, EL-KANEMI WARRIORS
The enterprising forward has been
capped at full international level by Chad. He is today one of the most feared
forwards in the Glo Premier League.
5. ISAAC LOUTE (BENIN):
DEFENDER, KANO PILLARS
Loute who has been capped at full
international level by Benin Republic can play as a midfielder, striker and
left back. He has played for Lobi Stars, Gateway FC, Solie FC (Benin Republic),
Manga Sports of Gabon, Krake (Benin Republic) and Sharks FC.
6. SAIBOU BADAROU (TOGO):
FORWARD, HEARTLAND
FORWARD, HEARTLAND
Saibou Badarou was the topscorer at
the 2014 WAFU Cup competition. He joined Heartland the same year and became an
instant hit scoring on his debut against Kaduna United.
He was recently linked with a move
to six-time Glo Premier League Champions, Enyimba Football Club of Aba.
7. SALOMON JUNIOR (BENIN):
DEFENDER, BAYELSA UNITED
The Bayelsa United captain was part of Benin Republic national team at the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola.
He once played for Ivorien side,
ASEC Mimosas and also had stints at local sides ASPAC Cotonou and USS Krake
before linking up with Bayelsa United.
8. RONALD KOFFI (COTE D’IVOIRE):
MIDFIELDER, HEARTLAND
MIDFIELDER, HEARTLAND
The gifted midfielder is a
consistent performer for Heartland. He joined the Naze Millionaires same season
as Saibou Badarou and Zouman Doumbia.
MIDFIELDER, SUNSHINE STARS
The talented midfielder is one of the popular foreigners in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
Medrano caught the eyes of Sunshine
Stars’ officials during a CAF Confederation Cup tie against his former side
Tiko United in 2011.
The 29-year old made his debut for
the Akure Gunners on May 15, 2011 and has been an instant success at the club
since then.
10. AlHASSAN DOSSO (COTE D’IVOIRE):
MIDFIELDER, ABIA WARRIORS
MIDFIELDER, ABIA WARRIORS
An experienced campaigner in the
Nigerian top flight, Dosso spent three seasons with Dolphins in which he won
the FA Cup twice.
He later joined Sharks before moving
to Norway where he spent five years. He later returned to Dolphins in 2014.
Read more at http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/25-foreign-players-in-the-glo-premier-league/#3KT4fsu5f1TiaTOZ.99
