Who are the goalkeepers that have been superb in between the goal-post in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season?
The 2022-23 abridged NPFL campaign came to an end on Sunday with (3) teams each from Group A and B securing their spot in the Super Six, which would be the final battle that would decide the winner of the NPFL season.
While the NPFL season has been quite interesting, considering the impressive performance shown by some teams, it must also be said that we witnessed some amazing displays from goalies in the league who proved their worth as the best in the league.
That being said, here are the best goalkeepers in the 2022-23 NPFL campaign, considering the clean sheets they kept for their respective teams.
Victor Sochima – (Rivers United, 4)
In a proper (20) NPFL league standing last season, Sochima made 29 league appearances for Rivers United and finished the campaign with an impressive 16 clean sheets, a feat he shared with Remo Stars’ Bankole Kayode.
But this season, Sochima couldn’t replicate his previous success following the conclusion of the campaign on Sunday, but he was able keep (4) clean-sheets in (7) games for Rivers United.
With Rivers United set to compete in the Super Six playoffs next month, the fans would hope the lanky shot-stopper brings his top performance to fore.
Oluwafemi Thomas – (Abia Warriors, 5)
In readiness for the 2022-23 abridged NPFL season, Abia Warriors signed one of the most experienced shot-stoppers in the league from Heartland FC.
Before he left for Abia Warriors, his heroic performance against Akwa United made him the first man to save two penalties in a single NPFL game since 2017.
Though this season the Umuahia based club couldn’t secure a spot in the super six playoffs, however, the experienced goalie did well for himself by keeping (5) clean-sheets this season.
Michael George – (Niger Tornadoes, 5)
Though the Ikon Allah Boys won’t participate in the NPFL Super Six playoffs, they’ll bask in the euphoria of playing top-flight football next season.
As one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the NPFL, George shone an impressive performance for Tornadoes by keeping (5) clean-sheets in (9) games.
With the current campaign done and dusted, the Ikon Allah fans should expect more brilliant performances from their shot-stopper going forward into next season.
Kingdom Osayi – (Doma United, 6)
If there’s any goalkeeper who has proven beyond doubt that he’s one of the best in the league, it is Doma United’s goalie, Osayi.
Even his teammate Samuel Owoku buttressed the fact that Osayi is one of the finest in the NPFL, having kept (6) clean-sheets in (17) games in the just-concluded Nigeria Premier Football League.
Doma United narrowly missed the opportunity to secure a spot in the NPFL Super Six playoffs, however, the entire board and team will be elated about what they achieved this season.
Itodo Akor – (Gombe United, 6)
Before the conclusion of the league, Akor revealed it would be difficult to beat the record for most clean sheets in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season.
However, the Savannah Scorpions captain recorded his sixth clean-sheet of the season in a 1-0 triumph against El-Kanemi Warriors in match-day 13.
Akor’s consistency and hard work is some of the reasons Gombe United avoided dropping to the Nigeria National League (NNL), having played (12) games in the league.
Emmanuel Daniel – (Lobi Stars, 7)
Daniel’s impressive display against his former club in match-day 13 is a testament to how good the shot-stopper is for his team, when he was rewarded with twenty thousand naira having won the man of the match award.
The former Ranger goalie didn’t only kept an impressive clean-sheet this season, he also played an important role in helping his team secure a spot in the Super Six playoffs.
If Lobi Stars harbours the ambition of winning the NPFL Super Six playoffs slated for next month, Emmanuel Daniel must be in top form ahead of the competition in June.
Mustapha Lawal – (Sunshine Stars, 7)
Lawal’s performance in the NPFL this season is one of the reasons the Akure-based club will be part of the team that will participate in the NPFL Super Six playoffs.
As one of the consistent goalkeepers in the league, Lawal recorded a total of (7) clean-sheets in (15) games for Lobi Stars, with the team finishing third in the NPFL Group B standing.
While the preparation for the Super Six playoffs is already on, the fans will hope he brings his a-game to the fore when the playoffs hit the ground running.
Amas Obasogie – (Bendel Insurance, 8)
18 games and 8 clean sheets aren’t bad stats for a goalkeeper who plays for a team that just got promoted to the top flight last season from the Nigeria National League (NNL)
When Insurance got promoted to the NPFL, the believe from many was that they couldn’t survive the campaign, but to our surprise, they defied the odds by topping the table and securing a spot in the Super Six playoffs.
With the playoffs set to commence next month in Lagos, all eyes will be on the team, having proved a lot of people wrong that they are here to stay in the league.
Jean Efala – (Akwa United, 8)
Last season, Efala won the NPFL title and a bronze medal with the Cameroonian national at the AFCON, but this season he couldn’t help the team secure a spot in the Super Six playoffs.
Though Akwa United won’t be part of the playoffs slated for next month, it is worth mentioning that the Cameroonian did a brilliant job in the just concluded campaign by keeping (8) clean-sheet in (17) games.
Kayode Bankole – (Remo Stars, 9)
Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole is undoubtedly the finest goalie in the just-concluded NPFL season, considering the (9) clean-sheets he kept this season.
If there’s any goalkeeper in the league who could lay claim to the goalkeeper shirt and gloves in the national team, it is Bankole because he’s proven to be a brilliant and consistent goalie for Remo.
With the Ikenne-based club prepping up for the Super Six playoffs slated for next month, it would be an amazing campaign for Remo Stars should they win the league.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
