From stopping goals to scoring plenty: The unlikely rise of Nigeria’s Suleman Shaibu

By Dayo Awoniyi

Former Nigeria U-17 goalkeeper Suleman Shaibu has defied the odds with a surprising transformation from shot-stopper to goal-scorer, capturing headlines for his unexpected rise as a striker for TP Mazembe.

At just 22 years old, Shaibu, who had always been a goalkeeper, has made an extraordinary switch to the forward position due to unforeseen circumstances.

His club, TP Mazembe, was hit with a FIFA ban preventing them from signing new players over contract breaches, leaving the team with limited attacking options. Seizing the opportunity, Shaibu boldly approached the coach with a proposal that would change his football trajectory.

“I told the coach I would also like to play as a forward, maybe until January when they would be able to register a new player,” Shaibu explained.

Initially met with skepticism from both teammates and fans, who viewed the shift as a novelty, Shaibu proved his doubters wrong.

“At first, it was kind of a joke for most of the players and spectators because they believed I was a goalkeeper and had nothing to offer up front,” he recalled.

But Shaibu has delivered in spectacular fashion, scoring over seven goals and providing several assists in just 15 matches, with 13 of those appearances coming off the bench.

His remarkable performance has earned him recognition, and Shaibu is now eyeing greater ambitions.

“I want to play for the Super Eagles, and if I continue performing well, I will explore opportunities in other African leagues, especially in North Africa, before considering a move to Europe,” Shaibu said.

Shaibu’s meteoric rise as a striker has not only silenced his critics but also inspired many aspiring footballers. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and belief in one’s abilities.

As Shaibu continues to make waves on the field, his journey underscores the importance of embracing change and seizing unexpected opportunities in the pursuit of success.

Samuel Ahmadu

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.

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