Emerging stars of the NPFL

• Unknown players who have been outstanding this season in the NPFL

A number of players have enjoyed the spotlight in the abridged 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League season. In the process, they have established themselves as league stars and fans favourites.

However, there are few other players in the league who are shouldering the burden of their teams quietly while their ‘star' teammates leverage on their efforts to achieve the goals of the team.

PUNCH Sports Extra spotlights some of the names who have been pulling the strings low-key in the NPFL with the regular season coming to an end soon

Haruna Aliyu (Doma United)

As captain of a NPFL debutant, Doma United, Aliyu perhaps didn't know the weight of the responsibility he will shoulder for the team, but he has done it diligently as the team is now within play-off positions in Group A.

As a centre back, he played all minutes in the NNL with the team last season and his confidence has grown in the NPFL, playing every minute so far this season as well.

David Okoromi (Niger Tornadoes)

A product of the NPFL La Liga U-15 championship, David Okoromi is more than an unsung hero for Tornadoes. In fact he is one of the revelations of the season.

The 21-year-old has six goals so far this season and is  as the club's highest goal scorer. He might be far from the leaders of the chart but had done enough to earn the status of an important player for Tornadoes.

Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance)

Former junior international, Nwachukwu, has only been on the scorers sheet once this season. And that was an equalizer against Remo Stars on match-day 14.

Nwachukwu has featured in all Bendel Insurance matches in the league this season and has played a pivotal role in the midfield.

Junior Nduka (Remo Stars)

Another leader in this category of players is the long-serving captain of Remo Stars, Nduka.  The ball playing defender has been ever present for Daniel Ogunmodede's side this season, leading the formidable partnership with Segun Olalere and Ifeanyi Anaemena.

Aside his defensive duties, he executes long passes with accuracy and has scored once from the spot this season.

Ikenna Cooper (Enyimba)

Joining Enyimba from Sunshine Stars, defensive midfielder, Cooper didn't make an instant fit into the People's Elephant team.

He was mostly used as a substitute in the first stanza. But from the start of the second stanza, he's been starting and he has played every minute in all games from MD 10 to 16.

Alex Oyowah (Bayelsa United)

Alex Oyowa has been Bayelsa United's creative outlet. He has contributed to five goals so far in this campaign.

Having been quiet for most of the season, his exploits recently got him the League Bloggers nomination for the player of the month for March and April.

Benjamin Tanimu (Bendel Insurance)

Like some of the names that have hugged the spotlight at Insurance this season, Tanimu has been part of the set up since the NNL and has established himself as a mainstay in the heart of the defense.

He had a decent performance for Nigeria's U-23 team in the failed qualifiers and had since rejoined Insurance in their quest to set an unprecedented unbeaten record this season.

James Ajako (Akwa United)

Flying left-back, James Ajako has been in incredible form for the Promise Keepers since the start of the season.

Solid at the back and offensive going forward, Ajako is a complete defender and he has two goals and three assists to his name.

Taye Yusuf (Gombe United)

Gombe United have played their way to safety on their return to the Nigerian topflight.

With 19 points and 10 goals scored so far, their winger, Taye Yusuf accounts for four of those goals.

It might not be enough to see him rank among the hotshots in the league, but his impact in Gombe stands him apart.