Anas Yusuf

Anas Yussuf
Personal information
Full name Anas Opkadibu Yusuf Ayitonu
Date of birth (2004-02-01) 1 February 2004 (age 22)
Place of birth Lafia, Nigeria
Position Left winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2021 Nasarawa United 47 (9)
2021–2022 Wikki Tourists 14 (2)
2022–2026 Nasarawa United 47 (20)
2026 JS Saoura 9 (1)
International career‡
2024– Nigeria U23 1 (0)
2025– Nigeria 2 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 June 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 19 August 2025

Anas Yusuf (born 1 February 2004) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward. He finished as the league's top scorer in the 2024–25 season, scoring 18 goals and winning the NPFL Golden Boot and Eunisell Boot Award.

In July 2025, he was named in Nigeria's provisional squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Early life and youth career

Yusuf was born on 1 February 2004 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. He began playing football at age 12 with FC Basira.

Despite being initially overlooked due to his physical build, Yusuf impressed in non-league competitions and later joined Nasarawa United's youth team in 2018. In 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Wikki Tourists, as then coached by Kabiru Suleiman Dogo.

Club career

Wikki Tourists

Yusuf began his professional career with Wikki Tourists in 2021, making his debut in the NPFL. He showed potential with his pace, dribbling, and vision, and featured intermittently during the 2021–22 season.

Nasarawa United

He returned to Nasarawa United in January 2022, working under a series of coaches including Bala Nikyu, Usman Adams, and former Super Eagles manager Salisu Yusuf. His breakthrough came in the 2024–25 season, where he scored 18 goals. This tally included two hat-tricks—against El-Kanemi Warriors and Abia Warriors—and multiple match-winning performances.

Yusuf finished the season as the NPFL's top scorer, winning the Golden Boot. He was also awarded the Eunisell Boot Award, with a cash prize of ₦3.6 million, calculated at ₦200,000 per goal.

JS Saoura

On 31 January 2026, he joined Algerian club JS Saoura.

International career

In July 2025, Yusuf was selected in the 35-man provisional squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) by Nigeria's Team B (Super Eagles B), managed by Eric Chelle. His inclusion followed a high-scoring domestic campaign. NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye publicly endorsed Yusuf's potential for future inclusion in Nigeria's main senior team.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 4 October 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Nasarawa United 2018 Nigeria Professional Football League 10———10
2019 Nigeria Professional Football League 164———164
2019–20 Nigeria Professional Football League 183———183
2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League 122———122
Total 479———479
Wikki Tourists 2021–22 Nigeria Professional Football League 142———142
Nasarawa United 2022–23 Nigeria Professional Football League 81———81
2024–25 Nigeria Professional Football League 3418———3418
2025–26 Nigeria Professional Football League 51———51
Total 4720———4720
Career total 1083100000010831

International

As of match played 19 August 2025
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Nigeria 202521
Total21
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Yusuf goal.
List of international goals scored by Anas Yusuf
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
119 August 2025Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Miburani, Tanzania Congo0–10–2African Nations Championship

References

  1. ↑ Akinsanmi, 'Sola (2025-06-29). "The rise of Anas Yusuf: From overlooked teen to NPFL top scorer". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  2. ↑ Nlebem, Anthony (2025-06-10). "Anas Yusuf bags Eunisell Boot Award, N3.6m prize for NPFL top scorer". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  3. ↑ Eludini, Tunde (2025-07-05). "NPFL top scorer Anas Yusuf headlines Nigeria's 35-man provisional squad for 2024 CHAN tournament". Premium Times. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  4. ↑ Akinsanmi, 'Sola (2025-06-29). "The rise of Anas Yusuf: From overlooked teen to NPFL top scorer". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  5. ↑ Akinsanmi, 'Sola (2025-06-29). "The rise of Anas Yusuf: From overlooked teen to NPFL top scorer". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  6. ↑ "Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) stats - Player Profile - Flashscore.com.ng". www.flashscore.com.ng. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  7. ↑ Akinsanmi, 'Sola (2025-06-29). "The rise of Anas Yusuf: From overlooked teen to NPFL top scorer". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  8. ↑ Akinsanmi, 'Sola (2025-06-29). "The rise of Anas Yusuf: From overlooked teen to NPFL top scorer". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  9. ↑ Akinsanmi, 'Sola (2025-06-29). "The rise of Anas Yusuf: From overlooked teen to NPFL top scorer". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  10. ↑ "Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) stats - Player Profile - Flashscore.com.ng". www.flashscore.com.ng. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  11. ↑ "NPFL hotshot Anas Yusuf joins Algerian club". scorenigeria.com.ng. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  12. ↑ "Mercato : L'attaquant nigérian Anas Yusuf rejoint la JS Saoura". mediafootdz.dz. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  13. ↑ "NPFL Top Scorer Anas Yusuf Backed for Super Eagles Spot | Africa Sport Network". www.africasport.net. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  14. ↑ Eludini, Tunde (2025-07-05). "NPFL top scorer Anas Yusuf headlines Nigeria's 35-man provisional squad for 2024 CHAN tournament". Premium Times. Retrieved 2025-07-23.