By Wale Mustapha
Two Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) giants, Rivers United and Enugu Rangers, are locked in a fierce contest to sign experienced Remo Stars striker, Sikiru Alimi, ahead of the new season.
Sources close to the negotiations reveal that Rivers United have made significant progress in talks to secure the prolific forward, while Rangers—led by head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu—are also making a strong push for his signature.
Alimi, a proven goal scorer in the NPFL, has become a top transfer target for both clubs.
Both Ilechukwu and newly appointed Rivers United coach, Finidi George, are reportedly keen admirers of the striker and view him as a key addition to bolster their attacking options.
Despite the intensifying interest, Alimi is yet to commit to either side. A source familiar with the situation said the player is open to both offers, depending on the financial terms presented.
For now, Alimi remains focused on national duty, currently in camp with the Super Eagles as they prepare for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN).
A final decision on his club future is expected following the conclusion of the CHAN preparations.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
