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Strengthening the NPFL: Evaluating the Impact of Seasoned Players and Managers

Strengthening the NPFL: Evaluating the Impact of Seasoned Players and Managers

Finidi George, a new NPFL manager

While Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi can only affect their individual NPFL teams, coaches like Finidi George, Emmanuel Amuneke, and Daniel Amokachi can shape the entire direction of the clubs.

By Tuka Letura 

Three Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs have turned to former Super Eagles legends to lead their teams this season, while two others have returned as players. 

Heartland FC of Owerri appointed Emmanuel Amuneke, the former Super Eagles winger and AFCON winner, as their head coach, while Rivers United FC brought in Finidi George, fresh off leading Enyimba FC to the league title in June 2023 and a short stint with Nigerian Men’s National football team. Both coaches have had their performances closely scrutinised after five matchdays, as fans and analysts evaluate their tactical approaches and early-season form.

On Monday, the 7th of October 2024, Lobi Stars confirmed the appointment of Daniel Amokachi as their new Technical Adviser. His appointment completes the trio of former Super Eagles players now managing clubs in the league. 

On the other end of the spectrum, two former Super Eagles players have returned to playing in the league this season, both joining Kano Pillars. This includes Ahmed Musa, now on his third stint with the club, and defender, Shehu Abdullahi, who is making his second run for the northern giants. 

Ahmed Musa
Ahmed Musa

But what does the presence of players like Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi, who possess significant international exposure, bring to the Nigeria Premier Football League and to Kano Pillars specifically?

With both players having played across multiple continents, their presence at Kano Pillars adds a level of understanding and tactical insight that can only come from years of competing at the highest levels. As an attacker, Ahmed Musa brings a dynamic edge to the team, while Shehu Abdullahi’s role as a defender adds stability to their backline. 

Their vast experiences, which include representing Nigeria at the World Cup and playing for clubs with high stakes in Europe and beyond, have sharpened their game awareness and ability to perform under pressure. These are qualities Kano Pillars stand to benefit from immensely.

Musa’s track record, not only as a goal-scorer but also as a leader on the pitch— having been a captain of the national team, means that his presence elevates the attack, allowing the team to build plays with confidence, knowing they have a player capable of finishing chances or creating them for others. 

His time at clubs like Leicester City and CSKA Moscow in top-tier European competitions equips him with the composure to handle intense situations in the NPFL. His understanding of the game, movement off the ball, and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses offers Kano Pillars’ offensive strategies a new look. Two goals in his first game and a penalty miss away from a hat-trick is enough of how good he can get.

On the defensive side, Shehu Abdullahi’s presence in the squad brings invaluable experience, even though he has yet to make his debut for Kano Pillars this season. His role as a defender goes far beyond simply stopping attacks. Abdullahi’s ability to read the game, anticipate opposition movements, and organise the backline will be crucial for the team. 

Ultimately, while their goals and defensive contributions can be tracked, their true influence may lie in the immeasurable qualities they bring—leadership, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the game that goes far beyond stats.

What can we expect from the former Super Eagles players who are now at the helm of NPFL clubs? Finidi George, now managing Rivers United, has quickly shown his tactical prowess, guiding the team to an unbeaten start this season. After five games, Rivers United sit at the top of the table with 13 points from four wins and one draw. 

Finidi’s track record is already promising; the last time he managed a team in the league—Enyimba FC—he went on to win the league title in June 2023. Given his previous success, the odds are high that he could replicate this achievement with Rivers United.

Finidi George training NPFL team, Rivers United
Finidi George training Rivers United

Players only impact part of the game, but managers like Finidi are responsible for the entirety of it—how their team plays, the strategies they employ, and ultimately, the outcome of each match. Finidi’s decisions on team structure, game plans, and player management are critical, and the results rest heavily on his ability to get it right. His vast experience, coupled with his ability to adapt, is what sets him apart, ensuring his influence is felt in every facet of Rivers United’s performances this season.

His most recent coaching role with the Super Eagles may have left a sour taste among some Nigerians, but his pristine start at Rivers United offers a chance for redemption. However, sustaining this strong start throughout the entire season will be the true test, especially in the unpredictable and highly competitive NPFL.

Life for Emmanuel Amuneke hasn’t started as smoothly as it has for Finidi, with Heartland FC managing just one win after five match days in the league. Amuneke’s side struggled in the opening four games, securing only one point. However, Michael Ugo’s brace, with a goal in each half of their fifth match against Niger Tornadoes, ensured that Heartland finally earned their first three points of the new NPFL season, offering a glimmer of hope for a turnaround. 

It’s very likely that Amuneke will elevate the mentality of Heartland FC, a team that has often struggled to stand out in the NPFL. However, lifting a team’s mindset and actually staying in the division are two entirely different battles. 

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The NPFL is a tough and unpredictable competition where consistency is elusive, and nothing is ever guaranteed until the final whistle of the season. Heartland’s fight for survival will test not only their mental resilience but also Amuneke’s ability to navigate the complexities of the league, where even the smallest misstep can cost a club dearly.

Known affectionately as “De Bull”, Daniel Amokachi is looking to start on a high note in a league he is familiar with as a coach. His assignment begins with a crucial tie against Niger Tornadoes, where he will aim to make an immediate impact and set the tone for his tenure at the club.

Daniel Amokachi training NPFL team, Lobi Stars
Daniel Amokachi during a training session with Lobi Stars

This is Amokachi’s third stint as a coach in the Nigerian top-flight. Back in 2005, he served as a player-coach at Nasarawa United. A decade later, in 2015, he had a brief spell with the now-defunct FC Ifeanyi Ubah. His recent appointment as Technical Advisor for Lobi Stars marks another chapter in his coaching journey, where he aims to bring his wealth of experience to a club seeking to improve its standing in the league.

One thing that’s clear in all of this is that these coaches will have to offer more than just tactical prowess—they will have to raise the technical depth of their teams to have an undeniable positive impact and set them apart from the rest. 

Their contributions to the league will be far more measurable and significant than those of players like Ahmed Musa, who, despite their international experience, can only influence the game at their club level, for now. Because at the end of the day, they will be judged by performance and unlike players, they are easier to let go of. 

While Musa and Abdullahi can only affect their individual teams, coaches like Finidi George, Emmanuel Amuneke, and Daniel Amokachi can shape the entire direction of their NPFL clubs. It’s shaping up to be an interesting season ahead, and it will be fascinating to see where these coaches, with their wealth of experience, ultimately lead their teams

Current league standings of the three NPFL teams in focus
Current league standings of the three NPFL teams in focus

For Musa and Abdullahi, one can only hope that their return to Kano Pillars isn’t just a placeholder before a potential January transfer to a European club—a scenario Ahmed Musa has already enacted in the past. If this pattern continues, it risks making Kano Pillars look like a mere stepping stone, and a cheap one at that. 

The club’s image suffers when it is viewed as a launchpad for players out of the market rather than long-term holders of high calibre players, undermining the stability and growth that both the team and the league desperately need.

Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over five years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.

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