The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) will resume this weekend after the ceremonial kick-off in Enugu last weekend as reigning champions Rangers drew 1-1 with El-Kanemi Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
All the games will be played on Sunday, 8 September except for the Lobi Stars and Akwa United tie which will be played on Monday, 9 September.
Typically, fans will look forward to seeing their team's back on the pitch and how their new signings will perform.
NPFL veterans not relenting
However, there are some veterans whose quality the fans know about and will hope those can lead their teams to success in the 2024/25 season.
Ahead of the commencement of the league, Afrik-Foot looks at five veteran players who have played ten seasons or more in the NPFL.
Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)
The veteran midfielder is going into his 22nd season in the local league and has proven to be arguably the most consistent player to play in the NPFL.
Season in, season out, Ali has continued to churn out impressive performances for Kano Pillars, for whom he has played most of his career.
His longevity is exemplary, and like the proverbial wine, he keeps getting better with age.
A good leader on and off the pitch, his consistency has seen him rack up double digits in goal contributions for the past seven seasons.
Kano Pillars fans will hope Ali leads their new pack of young and exciting players this season.
Ifeanyi Anaemena (Remo Stars)
The centre-back made his name starring for Aba side Enyimba but has been in the league for more than a decade.
Anaemena’s leadership qualities have made him one of the best centre-backs in Nigeria in the last decade.
Now at Remo Stars, whom he joined from Abia Warriors on loan, he went straight into the team and started the two games the team played in the CAF Champions League before they were eliminated by Moroccan side AS FAR.
Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede is a fan of the 32-year-old, who he said brings experience and leadership to his team.
He will hope Anaemena is in his element as they try to surpass their second-placed finish last season and lift the title for the first time in Remo Stars' history.
King Osanga (Nasarawa United)
The former Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets star has been on and off with his hometown club Nasarawa United but has been with them for the last three seasons.
Osanga, 33, has played abroad with Sochaux (France), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), Al Nassr Benghazi, and White Star Bruxelles (Belgium), among others, before coming back to Nigeria.
He has also featured for Akwa United, Heartland, Plateau United, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, and Kaduna United.
When Nasarawa United were relegated to the Nigeria National League in the 2022/23 season, he remained with them, and now, he will be the team captain as they start a new chapter in the NPFL.
Suraj Ayeleso (Kwara United)
One of the best goalkeepers in Nigeria in the last ten years, and he seems to be going on strongly.
The University of Ilorin graduate started out in Ilorin with Abubakar Saraki Babes (ABS) before making the rounds with Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars, Plateau United, and he will be with Kwara United for the new season.
Known for his passing range as a goalkeeper, Ayeleso has been consistent in all the clubs he has played for.
He commands his box extremely well and barks instructions to his defenders, as well as having a knack for saving a penalty or two.
Kwara United will be banking on his experience to steer them to great heights this season.
Solomon Kwambe (Lobi Stars)
The Makurdi native has been one of the best defenders in the NPFL in the recent past and has not shown any sign of stopping anytime soon.
The 30-year-old was trusted by former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, as he was a regular feature with the Super Eagles during Keshi’s reign.
He was at the 2013 Confederations Cup, as well as being part of Nigeria’s squad to the 2014 Africa Nations Championship in South Africa.
On the local front, he’s featured for Sunshine Stars, Warri Wolves, Plateau United, and Lobi Stars, with whom he has had three stints.
Kwambe spent some time in the United States with Tulsa Football Club but is now back in Nigeria, strutting his stuff with Lobi Stars.
Eugene Agagbe will hope Kwambe will continue to provide guidance for his team, on and off the pitch.
