Five Clubs Benefit From NPFL Clause On Youth Players

Five Clubs, Bayelsa United, Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourists, Heartland and Enyimba International took advantage of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) regulation that encourages clubs to graduate youth team players to the senior team without affecting the regular season’s 35 squad member cap. The five teams collectively injected a total of 11 young bloods into the league this season.

Clubs in the league are permitted in Article A.2.1.2 to register up to five such players aged 16-18 and issue them jersey numbers 36-40 in addition to the regular 35 players allowed for a season. The

players can also be withdrawn at any stage in the season and replaced by another player of their category.

Sunshine Stars topped the list with four players, one goalkeeper and three forwards including the son of Enyimba’s Coach Khadiri Ikhana. Bayelsa United, Heartland and Wikki Tourists promoted two players each to their senior team squad.

Azeez Ikhana who was born on September 18, 1996 joined the list of Sunshine Stars goalkeepers that presently has Olympian, Ikechukwu Ezenwa as the first choice between the sticks. The others are Gbaluwe Taiwo who took time of University degree pursuit to further his football career, Oluwole Tolulope and Ajibade Abiola.

Players promoted to the senior squad at Bayelsa United this season are Itoko Kariowei Ezekiel who was born on July 16, 1997 and Newman Doubra with the birth date of May 27, 1998.

For Wikki Tourists are two midfield players, Ezekiel Emmanuel born on December 3, 1997 and Abdulkareem Guindo who was born on July 26, 1997.

Heartland upgraded midfielder Ekezie Chukwuwuike who was born on December 29, 1998 and defender Ewulum Alex born on September 10, 1998.

18 year-old Alloy Browne scored in his debut for Enyimba on Match Day 21 against Akwa United. Browne upgraded to the Enyimba squad during the midseason transfer window is of a Nigerian mother and a Liberian father and plays in the midfield.