THE OFFICIAL NPFL TRANSFERMARKET TEAM OF THE YEAR 2022 IS HERE!

The official NPFL TransferMarket Orange Football Magazine NPFL team of the year 2022 is now out admist critics and media opposition. Its been a thorough assessment of the performance of the players who's name have been put down from journalists across the nation for the calendar year 2022 and brought together in the number of eleven to form a team.

The NPFL TransferMarket accolade is a recognition of the best performing talents and stars from the horizon of the Nigeria Professional Football League. A hugely contested recognition which is visible from the factors of consideration which include availability of player and fitness level, personal and individual statistics, post and pre match awards, social media decency, etc and the 2022 team of the year will be no exception:

[GK] Adewale Adeyinka: Many eyebrows would be raised of the choice of the 2021 NPFL goalkeeper of the year following his eighth place finish with the defending champions Akwa United but Adeyinka's individual stats and records speaks better. The only goalkeeper in the Nigerian top flight without a single card to his name in the entire season, Adeyinka also proved worthy of sustaining pressure with the average most saves by a goalkeeper (96). Ending the season with 12 clean sheets, which was 4 less than his previous record 16 clean sheets accomplishments, he was the number one, retaining his position in an ever steady Akwa United defense line in a team which was handled by three different managers in one season.

Adewale also had the least number of time wasted by a goalkeeper away from home before joining Kwara United from Akwa United. At Kwara, in September - October during his second consecutive year on the continent, he kept a club record 2 clean sheets for the harmony boys and also recorded the most saves by a Kwara United goalkeeper In a CAF Inter Club Competition with over 13 saves.

His national team engagements in the year 2022 is also a further testament to the revelation he had become ahead of stiff competition from Remo Stars Kayode Bankole and Victor Sochima of Champions Rivers United. Adeyinka recorded a handful of super eagles call ups as well as CHAN Eagles and home based eagles call ups as well in the year.

[DF] Ebube Duru: Asides Adewale Adeyinka's massive national accomplishments defending champions Rivers United and Nigerian international left back Ebube Duru had a standout year and shunned possible competition from Akwa United's rock of James Ajako or Daniel Itodo of Plateau United and Nduka Junior Of Remo Stars. Duru played over 80% of Rivers United games last season in the league boasting of a combined 10+GA as a defender with over 25 clean sheets.

He also scored in continental games for The Pride of Rivers against Libyan outfit Al Nasr in Port Harcourt as he also boasted of a handful of national team duties as well in the year with both the super eagles and the NPFL eagles.

[DF] Temple Emekayi: Captain of Rivers United and a soul inspiration to his teammates, a committed center back Temple Emekayi was solid in providing over 26 clean sheets for the team on their way to success. He ranks as our first choice central defender with a CHAN Eagles call up in his feather.

[DF] Ibrahim Buhari: A man who acted in the name of the president of his country, His excellency President Mohammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Buhari, now of IFK Elsborg in Sweden powered Plateau United into a CAF Champions League finish with his 6 league goals and 18 clean sheets whilst earning a national team feather for himself once as well. The 20 year old was one of the stand out players for the club last season.

[DF] Tope Olusesi: The Rangers International right back proved a thorn in the flesh of many NPFL defenders like himself with his countless overlapping runs. His average 6 runs per game into the opposition box by a left back was the highest per game in the league estimated. Areal duels and pass accuracy was also a keypoint as many wonder why such a good player is still in the league.

[MID] Morice Chuwkwu: He was denied a coronation party at Akwa United when he left them mid season to join Rivers United in 2021. Eventually he wouldn't be denied another celebration of coronation.

The midfielder was a tough guy to crack completing an average of the most passes by a Rivers United player in the league. A midfield marshal who's we efforts were noticed by coach Salisu Yusuf before being given a call up to the home based eagles and CHAN Eagles. Neither Adams Olamilekani nor Tochuwku Micheals came close.

[MID] Bello Babatunde: four goals at Sunshine Stars with one assist, then 13+ Goal contributions after Joining Akwa United mid season. The profilic midfielder was deployed as both a defensive and creative midfielder which is part of the reason he now plays for Future FC in Egypt.

Bello also had the most impressive shot conversion rate by an Akwa United player in just 14 goals since stats were recorded from 2015. He was called up over four times as well to serve the nation ahead of names like Adam Yakubu and Nelson Essoh or Austin Oladapo.

[LWF] Ishaq Rafiu: At a point he played for Rivers United, at a point he was the hottest assest in the Nigerian Professional Football League. He now plays for Slovenian Outfit NK Maribor after a controversial transfer. Ishaq blasted Rivers United into the title race with his initial 12 league goals at a point before being overtaken by his team mate Chijoke Akuneto.

Ishaq completed the most dribbles and had the most shots on target before matchday 28. Unfortunately he missed a number of games to personal reasons. He'd return to finish up in a comfortable tally with a few call ups to his name as well.

[RWF] Wisdom Fernando: The Swedish Nigerian speed star was the most linked NPFL star inside and outside the league in the year 2022 but preferred to keep everything private and focus on his Akwa United career.

He ended the season with over 5+G/A and completed the second most dribbles by an Akwa United player behind team captain Ubong Friday but became the fastest player ever to wear an Akwa United kit. He warded of competition in the left wing of names like former teammate Samuel Amadi, Samuel Stones, Edidiong Ezekiel, etc.

[CF] Chijoke Akuneto: It only makes sense that the name of the top scorer of the Nigerian Professional Football League 2021/22 Chijoke Akuneto topped the list. His sarcastic and unbelievable rise from being a poster boy for Rivers United behind Ishaq Rafiu Kayode to beoming Nigerian Professional Football League top scorer and Eunisell Golden Boot winner 2022 was really unthinkable.

However, the 22 year old is now a free agent and yet to finalize a deal abroad. His CHAN Eagles call up yielded a good fruit when he scored Nigeria's late minute equalizer against Ghana in the second leg against the Black Satellites in Abuja. He surely accepted as the top striker ahead of names like Yusuf Abulazeez and Andy Okpe of Remo Stars.

[CF] Victor Mbaoma: Victor Mbaoma at a point ran a monopoly in the Nigerian Football scene. He scored a Hatrick in a game and was the talk of the town ahead of names like Akila Jesse of Plateau United and Kwara United sensation.

Mbaoma now plays for Algerian club MC Algers and finished the league with 16 goals and some matches to spare. He was the first player to leave the league before it even ended.