Barau FC’s Atule sets ambitious 20-goal target in NPFL

Barau FC winger Joseph Atule is targeting between 19 and 20 goals in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season after challenging himself to become more productive in front of goal.

The former Enyimba player is expected to play an important role for the Maliya Boys as they begin their new campaign, having already established himself as a significant contributor to the team.

Atule scored five goals and provided eight assists for Barau FC last season. While he was pleased with his contribution, the winger is determined to improve those figures and make a greater impact in the attacking third this term.

He said he had taken time to assess his ambitions and set himself a demanding personal objective for the season.

“I have sat down and thought about it. I’ve also challenged myself. If I am not going to score 20 goals, then it should still be a lot of goals,” Atule told NPFL media.

Rather than commit himself to one exact figure, Atule said his immediate target was to finish the campaign with a tally close to 20 goals.

“I am not going to put a specific number on it, but I am looking at scoring 19 to 20 goals. That’s my target.”

The Barau FC winger will have the opportunity to begin working towards that goal when his side face Nasarawa United in their opening match of the campaign.

Atule said preparations for the fixture had been encouraging, pointing to the level of effort and togetherness shown by the squad during training.

He believes the team’s attitude has created a positive platform ahead of their first competitive match and said the players were eager to transfer that work to the pitch.

“Training before our first game went well. The intensity is high, and I can see the commitment and unity among the players,” he added.

The winger also said Barau FC’s squad was fully prepared for the challenge posed by Nasarawa United and confident of starting the season with a positive result.

“Every player is raring to go, and on Sunday we will get a good result against Nasarawa United.”

Atule’s ambitions give him a clear individual target as Barau FC seek to make a strong impression in the new Nigeria Premier Football League season. His previous return of five goals and eight assists provides the basis for his improved expectations, while his focus now is on adding more goals to his game.

The Maliya Boys will begin that pursuit against Nasarawa United, with Atule aiming to turn his personal challenge into a productive campaign for himself and the club.