Aliyu Abubakar (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aliyu Audu Abubakar | ||
| Date of birth | 15 June 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Perak FA | ||
| Number | 23 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Mutunchi Academy | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2015 | Ashdod | 1 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | CA Bizertin | 3 | (0) |
| 2016 | KuPS | 25 | (0) |
| 2017 | Dila Gori | 19 | (0) |
| 2018 | PS Kemi | 13 | (1) |
| 2018–2019 | Slutsk | 23 | (0) |
| 2019 | Olimpik Donetsk | 2 | (0) |
| 2020 | Shakhter Karagandy | 1 | (0) |
| 2020 | Okzhetpes | 11 | (0) |
| 2021 | Zhetysu | 3 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Radnik Hadžići | 9 | (1) |
| 2023 | Khan-Tengri | 21 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Negeri Sembilan | 13 | (0) |
| 2025– | Perak FA | 10 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2013 | Nigeria U17 | 7 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 31 January 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 31 January 2026 | |||
Aliyu Audu Abubakar // ⓘ (born 15 June 1996), is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a centre back for Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League club Perak FA.[1]
Early life and youth career
Aliyu Audu Abubakar was born on 15 June 1996 in Lagos, Nigeria. He began his football journey at the renowned Mutunchi Academy in Kaduna, a talent hub that has produced several Nigerian internationals. Known for his physical presence and tactical awareness from a young age, Abubakar quickly rose through the ranks of the Nigerian youth system.
2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup
Abubakar's breakthrough came in 2013 when he was selected for the Nigeria U-17 squad for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. He was a mainstay in the defense for the "Golden Eaglets," appearing in five matches during the tournament.
Abubakar played the full 90 minutes in the final against Mexico, where Nigeria secured a 3–0 victory to claim their fourth world title.[2] Playing alongside future stars like Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi, Abubakar was noted for his composure and aerial dominance.
For his contributions to the national victory, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (M.O.N) by the Nigerian government.
European Club Career
In December 2014, Abubakar signed a three-year contract with Ashdod,[3] before leaving the club following their relegation at the end of the 2014–15 season. Following his release from Ashdod, Abubakar was linked with a move to an unnamed Serie A side.[4] In March 2016, Abubakar signed a one-year contract with KuPS, after a successful trial,[5] then a year later, in February 2017, Abubakar signed for Dila Gori.[6]
In April 2018, Aliyu moved to PS Kemi in Veikkausliiga.[7]
On 5 February 2020, Shakhter Karagandy announced the signing of Abubakar.[8] On 5 February 2020, Shakhter Karagandy announced the signing of Abubakar.[9]
Kazakhstan and Bosnia (2020–2023)
In 2020, Abubakar returned to Kazakhstan, joining Shakhter Karagandy before moving to Okzhetpes, where he made 11 appearances in the Kazakhstan Premier League. Following a brief stint with Zhetysu in 2021, he moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina to join Radnik Hadžići for the 2022–23 season. On 12 November 2022, he scored a notable opening-minute header in a 3–1 away victory over OFK Gradina Srebrenik.[10]
Abubakar returned to Kazakhstan in March 2023, signing for Khan Tengri. He became a mainstay in the defense, making 21 league appearances and totaling 1,845 minutes of play.[11] During the 2023 campaign, he demonstrated tactical versatility by featuring as a left-back in fixtures against Zhas-Kyran and Taraz, helping the club maintain a competitive position in the Kazakhstan First Division before his move to Malaysia.
Malaysia (2024–present)
In March 2024, Abubakar moved to Southeast Asia, signing with Negeri Sembilan FC in the Malaysia Super League. He made 13 league appearances during the 2024–25 season.
On 31 August 2025, Abubakar transferred to Perak FA to compete in the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League. In January 2026, he was part of the squad that defeated Super League side Kuala Lumpur City F.C. 2–0 in the first leg of the 2025–26 Malaysia Cup Round of 16.[12] Despite a 3–2 aggregate loss following extra time in the second leg, the performance qualified Perak for the MFL Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
Career statistics
- As of 30 January 2026
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Negeri Sembilan | 2024–25 | Super League | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Perak FA | 2025–26 | A1 Semi-Pro | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Career total | 150 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 163 | 2 | ||
- As of match played 25 January 2026[13]
| Season | Club | League | National Cup | League Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| 2016 | KuPS | Veikkausliiga | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| 2017 | Dila Gori | Erovnuli Liga | 19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 21 | 0 | |
| 2018 | PS Kemi | Veikkausliiga | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 14 | 1 | |
| 2018 | Slutsk | Belarusian Premier League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 11 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20 | Olimpik Donetsk | Ukrainian Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020 | Shakhter Karagandy | Kazakhstan Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | |
| 2020 | Okzhetpes | Kazakhstan Premier League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 11 | 0 | |
| 2021 | Zhetysu | Kazakhstan Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 | 0 | |
| 2022–23 | Radnik Hadžići | First League of FBiH | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 | 1 | |
| 2023 | Khan Tengri | Kazakhstan First Division | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 24 | 0 | |
| 2024–25 | Negeri Sembilan | Malaysia Super League | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Perak FC | Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Career total | 140 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 153 | 2 | ||
Honours
International
- Nigeria U17
Individual
- Orders
- Member of the Order of the Niger (M.O.N): 2013[14]
References
- ^ "Perak FA 2025 players". FAM. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ "Aliyu Abubakar and Saviour Godwin of Nigeria celebrate victory after the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Final". Getty Images. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ "Abubakar Thrilled To Have Signed For Ashdod". sl10.ng. SL10. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ "Ex – Golden Eaglets Star Aliyu Abubakar Chased By Serie A Club". allnigeriasoccer.com. All Nigeria Soccer. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ "Done Deal : KuPS Bring In Ex-Golden Eaglets Star Abubakar Aliyu". allnigeriasoccer.com. All Nigeria Soccer. 27 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ "Official: Ex Nigeria U-17 Star Aliyu Abubakar Joins FC DILA Of Georgia". owngoalnigeria.com. Own Goal Nigeria. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ "ALIYU ABUBAKAR SIIRTYY PS KEMIIN". pskemi.fi. ps kemi. 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "ОФИЦИАЛЬНО: АЛИЮ АБУБАКАР – ИГРОК ФК ШАХТЕР". shakhter.kz/ (in Russian). FC Shakhter Karagandy. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ "ОФИЦИАЛЬНО: АЛИЮ АБУБАКАР – ИГРОК ФК ШАХТЕР". FC Shakhter Karagandy. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Match Report: OFK Gradina Srebrenik 1-3 FK Radnik Hadzici". Sportradar. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ "Player Profile: Aliyu Abubakar". Qazaqstan Football League (QFL). Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ Avineshwaran, T. (18 January 2026). "Perak defy the odds with stunning win over KL in Malaysia Cup". The Star. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ Aliyu Abubakar at Soccerway
- ^ Abdullah, Meor (18 January 2026). "Perak Kejutkan KL City 2-0 Dalam Aksi Pertama Pusingan 16 Piala Malaysia 2025/26". Vocket FC (in Malay). Retrieved 30 January 2026.
External links
- Aliyu Abubakar at Soccerway
- Aliyu Abubakar at Flashscore
- Aliyu Abubakar at FotMob
- ^ "Aliyu Abubakar Profile". Flashscore. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ Avineshwaran, T. (18 January 2026). "Perak defy the odds with stunning win over KL in Malaysia Cup". The Star. Retrieved 19 January 2026.