Rabiu Ali, popularly known as Pele (born 27 September 1980) is a
Nigerian football midfielder who plays for Kano Pillars F.C.

He is the current Captain of Kano Pillars F.C. and is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players and one of the best players in Nigerian Professional football league.

He has played 20 seasons in the leagues. He has 5 goals and 18 appearance for the Super Eagles.


He was in the squad as Kano Pillars won their first-ever title in 2008 when they were crowned the League champions.

He went ahead to win three consecutive league titles in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

He captained Kano Pillars to their first-ever Aiteo Cup success in 2019, and he played a huge role scoring important goals.

National Team:

Rabiu Ali was part of Nigeria’s first-ever squad that qualified for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2014 hosted in South Africa.

After two failed attempts in 2010 and 2012, Super Eagles B team made it to the Championship designed for the Home-Based players in 2014 under Stephen Keshi edging out Cote D’Ivoire in the qualifiers.

Ali scored two goals in the group stage as Nigeria finished second in the group despite losing their first game to Mali.


The quarter-final game was historical as Nigeria came from three goals down to knocked out Morocco at Extra Time.

Ali, who was 34-year-old then scored the second goal of the comeback. Nigeria finished the tournament with a Bronze title in its first appearance.

At 34, everyone thought that could be his last opportunity in the National team. He missed out from the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda in January but surprisingly Ali made a huge comeback to the set up in July as the NPFL All-Star team traveled to Spain for a pre-season tour.

The team played against Valencia, Malaga and Atletico Madrid in Cadiz and Ali featured in the games in Spain.


In 2017, he made Nigeria’s final squad to the WAFU Cup in Ghana. The Super Eagles B team finished with a Silver medal, Ali scored and had a massive tournament.

Two months later, he was named in the final squad for the 2018 CHAN tournament at age 38, he became the oldest player in Morocco. Nigeria finished with the Silver medal and Ali secured his third honours in the National team.

The ugly scenes:

Ali’s image as a legend of the NPFL was almost ruined last year during the NPFL Championship Playoffs in Lagos.

His argument with the center referee, Adebimpe Quadri triggered a section of the fans to encroach the pitch and caused violence.

He was suspended for 12 League games but the sanction was later reduced after apologizing, he also rendered a community service in Kano during the pre-season to clear his name from the poor path.


He already has 19 appearance and 7 goals for Kano Pillars this season (2020-2021)

CREDIT: https://thescoreng.com/meet-40-year-old-super-eagles-defender-rabiu-ali-who-is-still-playing-active-football/


https://www.facebook.com/267468460686886/posts/950110199089372/?app=fbl


Lalasticlala
mynd44

more

He's a legend.
I remembered him in CHAN 2014. He's the heartbeat of that midfield as Mikel is to Main national team

Let me mind my own business

He is a legend. His feat is worth celebrating.

wow...this gee is a legend in npfl...I think d people of kano pillars n d league needs to immortalize him more when he us done..

Never know Alli is still playing. Definitely one of the greatest player to play in Nigeria League.

Northurmate:


CREDIT: https://thescoreng.com/meet-40-year-old-super-eagles-defender-rabiu-ali-who-is-still-playing-active-football/


https://www.facebook.com/267468460686886/posts/950110199089372/?app=fbl


Lalasticlala
mynd44

lalasticlala mynd44