Ismaila Sodiq: The flying Super Eagle who has become an assist-king

One of the most impressive players in the entire Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) during the 2023/24 season has been the flying full-back Ismaila Sodiq from Remo Stars. The young player has been pivotal for Remo’s push towards the title. Can he keep it up?

Ismaila Sodiq is a young vibrant player that is the typical modern full-back, who can be successfully down both flanks. Sodiq is also very comfortable operating as a winger, so just age 20 he already looks like a ready package for a brilliant career. 

Ismaila Sodiq – attributes, qualities and more

Ismaila Sodiq is a 20-year-old right-back for Remo Stars and he is in his third year as a senior. Born on August 13, 2003, Sodiq made his professional debut at age 18 in round 1 of the 2021/22 season. 

His blistering speed made him a regular starter for Remo Stars early that year. He started in all of the first four rounds. However, at this young age, he still lacked some defensive skills and this is why he only made four more appearances during that season. 

Ismaila Sodiq was a great contributor to the attack straight away. His crossing abilities were compared to those of the English legend David Beckham even. He worked on his defensive abilities very hard too and this paid off in his second year as a professional. 

During the 2022/23 season, Ismaila Sodiq was still used only sparsely, he was age 19 at that point, but by the end of the campaign the impressive right-back had become a regular and he started all five play-off games for Remo Stars. Sodiq played in 15 league matches that season and he amassed eight assists in those games. His ability to find teammates with his crosses was next to none. 

Ismaila Sodiq – current season in numbers

Ismaila Sodiq’s development and growth only continued during the current 2023/24 season. The 20-year-old full-back is well on course to become the undisputed assist king of the NFPL this season. He topped the chart for Most Assists with 13 to his name. The nearest player behind him has just seven assists.

It’s safe to say that 2023/24 is the first year for Ismaila Sodiq as a proper regular. He has started in 31 of the 33 games Remo Stars played in the league. His 13 assists in these 33 appearances are a really impressive return for a full-back.

What’s more Remo Star with Sodiq in their squad had the fourth-best defensive record in the league, with only 38 goals conceded in 37 matches, and they finished the season in second place.

In our eyes, Ismaila Sodiq is the undisputed assist-king in Nigeria this season and this modern-look full-back seems destined for greatness.