Aliyu Abubakar (footballer)

Aliyu Audu Abubakar was born on 15 June 1996 in kogi, 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.

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.

Although he had been part of Nigeria’s 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning squad, Abubakar did not progress to Nigeria’s senior national team and spent much of his senior career moving between clubs in smaller European and Asian leagues.^{[3] [4][5]}

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.

In December 2014, Abubakar signed a three-year contract with Ashdod,^[6] 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.^[7] In March 2016, Abubakar signed a one-year contract with KuPS, after a successful trial,^[8] then a year later, in February 2017, Abubakar signed for Dila Gori.^[9]

In April 2018, Aliyu moved to PS Kemi in Veikkausliiga.^[10]

On 5 February 2020, Shakhter Karagandy announced the signing of Abubakar.^[11] On 5 February 2020, Shakhter Karagandy announced the signing of Abubakar.^[12]

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.^[13]

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.^[14] 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.

After appearing regularly in Finland, Georgia and Belarus between 2016 and 2019, Abubakar’s career became more itinerant, with shorter spells across Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Malaysia. His appearances declined sharply at several clubs, including Olimpik Donetsk, Shakhter Karagandy and Zhetysu, before he later played in second-tier or semi-professional competitions with Khan Tengri, Radnik Hadžići and Perak FA. .^[15][16]

His senior career has been marked by frequent transfers and short-term spells, with his trajectory moving from top divisions in Finland, Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan to lower-tier competitions in Bosnia, Kazakhstan and Malaysia.^[17] He later joined Perak FA, where he was listed as a defender for the 2025–26 season.^[18]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.^[19] Despite a 3–2 aggregate loss following extra time in the second leg, the performance qualified Perak for the MFL Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

As of 20 April 2026

As of match played 20 April 2026^[20]