The first edition of the Nigeria Premier Football League Youth League Season 1 might have come and gone but the thrills and excitement it brought will linger for long as we saw the breakout of exciting youngster that will take over Nigeria football.
With 20 npfl clubs youth teams shared over five different zones the quintet of Rivers United, Remo Stars, Plateau United, Enugu Rangers and Katsina United winning their respective zones, Benin was the next stop for the teams to come and battle for the inaugural trophy.
Rivers United shook off the challenges of the remaining four to become the champions of the npfl U17 Youth League.
Adams Jesse, a seasoned journalist who covered the tournament in Benin took out his time to select the best players from the playoffs.
GK: Umar Yusuf (Katsina United)
Umar Yusuf came to the tournament as an unknown player but shone like a million stars with his breathtaking saves. Against Enugu Rangers, Umar saved a last penalty as his team won and despite conceding 8 goals, he faced more shoots and had more saves than any goalkeeper in the tournament to emerge the Goalkeeper of the tournament.
RB: Agbo Tochukwu (Enugu Rangers)
Young Tochukwu was everywhere for Rangers in Benin as he was so impressive in the final third. With two goals and an assist Agbo will sure be one for the future.
LB: Monday Pindar (Plateau United)
Built like a tank, Monday was one of the best players for Plateau United as they finished second. He had more deliveries in his opponent’s box than any other leftback in Benin and his cross led to Abdul Musa’s first goal against Katsina United on Day 2.
DM: Paul Maggit (Plateau United)
Everything about Maggit will easily remind you a young Charles Henlong who was one of the finest passer of the ball during his hay-days for Giwa then Plateau United.
The Midfield dictates the play for Plateau United.
Hard to dispossess, he boss the field against Rivers United, gave the trio of Ochiobi Elias, Confidence Kingdom and Ozornwafor Oscar a trid time to win the man of the match.
CD: Paul Jr Paul (Rivers United)
Solid performances all through the tournament from Paul who got a goal against Rangers. He will brilliant with his passes and as the captain of the Rivers United side, he marshalled the defense just how Austin Festus during his time at the pride of Rivers and will not be surprised if he goes on to captain the main team in the nearest future.
CB: Aigbe Bolaji (Remo Stars)
One of the star players for Remo in Benin as operated primarily as a center back but he can also function as a traditional leftback in a 3-5-2 formation and will still give his best.
The highlights of the lanky defender was his sumptuous freekick goal in the 2 all draw with Plateau United.
RW: Benjamin David (Rivers United)
One of the most skillful players in Benin as he was comfortable playing at either flank.
Blessed with pace and his legwork would easily make you mistake him for Deputy Echeta.
David Benjamin development should be monitored as he certainly looked the a one for the future.
LW: Umar Rabiu (Katsina United)
This young winger was responsible for all the positive moves made by his team in Benin.
Has the mind of a lion and he takes out his markers with so much ease and grace. Tormented all the teams he faced as he ended up with two goals and two assists for his team.
CM: Faith Aribo (Remo Stars)
Rated as holding midfielder in the youth league. Faith carried the burden of his entire team alone despite having the likes of Abbas Olasukanmi, Muiz Oladimeji and Precious Olaniyo but was never scared to take risk with his defense splitting passes. He was voted the MOTM against Katsina United.
CM: Ozornwafor Oscar (Rivers United)
The link between his teams defense and attack. Oscar complimented the duo of Kingdom and Ochiobi in their midfield as bossed the midfield against Katsina United to win the MOTM and the MVP of the tournament.
CF: Seiyefa Jackson (Rivers United)
Seiyefa Jackson would easily remind you of a bullish Obafemi Martins as he pressured all the teams Rivers United faced till they cracked defensively. Scored four well taken goals to emerge the goal king and he certainly looks like a real deal for the future.
Reserves
GK – Chinedu Chike (Enugu Rangers)
DF – Stephen Gold (Plateau United)
DF – Izuchukwu Nwaogba (Enugu Rangers)
DF – Daniel Angel (Rivers United)
MF – Usman Abdullahi (Katsina United)
CF – Arierhi Daniel (Remo Stars)
CF – Okache Friday (Enugu Rangers)
Coach: Ken Chuku (Rivers United)
