El-Kanemi's teenage sensation, Bata, turning heads in the NPFL

The Nigeria top-flight has, in the past, churned out top talent and witnessed some of the best schoolboys play in the championship. That trend has continued into this present day as the like of Godfrey Oboabona, Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye and Efe Ambrose all cut their teeth at some point in the country's top division, now the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

These quartet have gone on to become key members of the Nigeria national team, the Super Eagles. But there are now emerging talents in the NPFL. One of such new names is El-Kanemi Warriors attacking winger, Hussaini Bata Mohammed. The youngster is already being branded Messi by supporters of the Maiduguri club. 

Of course the nickname, Messi, bestowed on the right-footed winger comes from the fact that he has a semblance in physique to the FC Barcelona and Argentine superstar. Add to that, Bata has enough pace in him to burn as evident in matches he has appeared in for El-Kanemi Warriors this season.

Bata was promoted to the top-flight from El-Kanemi Feeders on the eve of the start of this season by coach Issa Ladan Bosso, who was impressed by the player's interpretation of the game. He made his debut in the 0-1 loss to Wikki Tourists on match day 1. However, since the Warriors returned to their home soil in Maiduguri, Bata has been in outstanding form, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

The petite winger played two seasons with the club's feeders before his promotion. He has now started in all matches since his newfound form after their return to home ground. Teams like Shooting Stars, Ikorodu United, Kano Pillars, Warri Wolves, Abia Warriors and Lobi Stars have experienced the crafty moves of the youngster, who Maiduguri football fans prefer to call Messi. His NPFL performances in the colours of El-Kanemi have already earned him man-of-the-match awards on three occasions.

The 16-year-old, who is enjoying loads of playing time in recent match days is thankful to Bosso, the man who showed so much belief in him and handed him a shot at top-flight football. 

"I will like to thank my coach for giving me the chance not minding my age. I will give my best to ensure my team finishes in the top-five. Though it is a difficult task (achieving a top-five finish) but with hard work we can achieve it," Bata told npfl.ng.

Bata's low centre of gravity allows him to attempt crafty moves from the flanks like Messi, the superstar, who he is nicknamed after. He is always a threat to defenders, as he is a fast dribbler and often hits low crosses. Most of his goals, this term, have come from close range finish because of his sleek nature and positioning.

The youngster like every footballer is ambitious. He believes that a call-up to any of the national teams will come at the appropriate but wants to continue his development by featuring in more matches for El-Kanemi.

He added that his family has been a major source of motivation in his fledgling career so far. Bata admitted that he always feel obliged to give his best as a way to repay his family for their support.

"I am yet to play for any of the national team, though I believe my game will pave the way for a call-up. For now, I want to play more games, show my skills and score more goals. My parents and siblings watch me play always. So I don’t want to disappoint them. They are great sources of encouragement to me," he said.

Somehow those sources of encouragement has made the youngster fearless. Bata despite his small physique is ready to have a go at defenders, no matter their sizes in physical structure. Certainly the youngster must also be pointing to those popular words of Mark Twain that 'it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of fight in the dog' that matters.

Bata said: "I can take on any defender, especially when you look down on me because of my size, although I respect our defenders for their qualities."

So when match day 25 gets underway this weekend across nine venues in the country, just watch out for El-Kanemi's number 37 line up with his teammates against the NPFL champions, Enyimba, in Umuahia on Sunday.