Muizz Mustapha Explained

Muizz Mustapha
Fullname:Muizz Mustapha
Birth Date:2000 4, df=y
Birth Place:Nigeria
Height:5feet
Weight:15st
Club1:Leeds Rhinos
Year1start:2018
Year1end:22
Appearances1:9
Tries1:1
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:4
Year2start:2018
Appearances2:1
Tries2:0
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:0
Club3:Dewsbury Rams
Year3start:2019
Appearances3:2
Tries3:0
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:0
Club4:Newcastle Thunder
Year4start:2019
Appearances4:7
Tries4:3
Goals4:0
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:12
Year5start:2021
Appearances5:11
Tries5:0
Goals5:0
Fieldgoals5:0
Points5:0
Year6start:2022
Appearances6:8
Tries6:0
Goals6:0
Fieldgoals6:0
Points6:0
Club7:Castleford Tigers
Year7start:2023
Year7end:present
Appearances7:21
Tries7:0
Goals7:0
Fieldgoals7:0
Points7:0
Year8start:2024
Appearances8:2
Tries8:0
Goals8:0
Fieldgoals8:0
Points8:0
New:yes
Source:[1] [2]
Updated:12 July 2024

Muizz Mustapha (born 3 April 2000) is a Nigerian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

He has previously played for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. He has spent time on loan and dual registration at Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League, at Featherstone Rovers, the Dewsbury Rams, the Bradford Bulls and the Batley Bulldogs in the RFL Championship, and at Newcastle Thunder in League 1.

Background

Mustapha was born in Nigeria.[3] He moved to Leeds with his family as a young child, initially settling in Harehills then later Hunslet.[4]

Mustapha played junior rugby league for Hunslet Warriors. He joined the Leeds Rhinos youth system at scholarship level.

Career

Leeds Rhinos

In 2018 he made professional début on loan at Featherstone Rovers and has also spent time at the Dewsbury Rams in the Betfred Championship.

In 2019 he made début for Leeds v Workington Town in the Challenge Cup.[5]

On 18 November 2020 it was announced that Mustapha would join Hull KR on a season-long loan starting in 2021.[6]

Hull Kingston Rovers (loan)

Mustapha made a total of 8 appearances for Hull KR in the 2021 Super League season including the club's 28-10 semi-final defeat against the Catalans Dragons.[7] [8] [9]

Bradford Bulls (loan)

On 2 December 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Bradford in the RFL Championship on loan.[10]

Castleford Tigers

On 3 October 2022, the Castleford Tigers announced the signing of Mustapha from Leeds.[11] He would join on a one-year deal, with an option for a further year in the club's favour.[12] Head coach Lee Radford said, "His leg speed, his defence, his line speed is fantastic, and he is a different shape to a lot of front rowers kicking around in the competition."[13]

Mustapha made his Castleford debut on 26 February 2023 against St Helens.[14] He played 13 matches for Castleford in the Super League XXVIII season as the club finished 11th on the table narrowly avoiding relegation.[15]

Batley Bulldogs (DR loan)

On 20 Jun 2024 it was reported that he had signed for Batley Bulldogs in the RFL Championship on DR loan[16]

International

On 11 September 2019 Mustapha was called up for the Nigeria 60-man training squad.[17]

Club statistics

Appearances and points in all competitions by year
Club Season Tier
Leeds Rhinos2019Super League1 0 0 0 0
2020Super League2 0 0 0 0
2022Super League6 1 0 0 4
Total9 1 0 0 4
Featherstone Rovers (loan)2018Championship1 0 0 0 0
Dewsbury Rams (loan)2019Championship2 0 0 0 0
Newcastle Thunder (loan)2019League 17 3 0 0 12
Hull Kingston Rovers (loan)2021Super League11 0 0 0 0
Bradford Bulls (loan)2022Championship8 0 0 0 0
Castleford Tigers2023Super League16 0 0 0 0
2024Super League5 0 0 0 0
Total21 0 0 0 0
Batley Bulldogs (DR)2024Championship2 0 0 0 0
Career total61 4 0 0 16

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://stats.rugbyleaguerecords.com/playersummary.php?tselect=1577 RL Record Keepers' Club
  2. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Muizz-Mustapha/summary.html Rugby League Project
  3. Web site: 4 September 2019 . Meet Elliot Wallis - The explosive Hull KR winger called up by new Nigerian national team . 1 November 2019 . Mirror.
  4. Web site: Heppenstall . Ross . 26 July 2022 . Muizz Mustapha discusses Leeds Rhinos future after living a 'dream come true' . 23 December 2023 . Leeds Live.
  5. Web site: 12 April 2019 . Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos 78-6 Workington Town . 13 April 2019 . BBC.
  6. Web site: Leeds forward Muizz Mustapha joins Hull KR on loan after extending Rhinos stay . 15 Dec 2020 . www.loverugbyleague.com.
  7. Web site: Catalans Dragons blast past Hull KR and into their first Super League Grand Final . www.theguardian.com.
  8. Web site: Barrie McDermott's 2021 Betfred Super League season review . www.skysports.com.
  9. Web site: Super League: Warrington Wolves 0-19 Hull KR - Robins set up a semi-final at Catalans . www.bbc.com.
  10. Web site: 2 Dec 2021 . Leeds loan three players to Bradford . 2 Dec 2021 . Love Rugby League.
  11. Web site: 3 October 2022 . Muizz Mustapha: Castleford Tigers sign prop on one-year deal from Leeds Rhinos . 23 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  12. Web site: McKenna . Ben . 3 October 2022 . Castleford Tigers sign forward Muizz Mustapha from Leeds Rhinos . 23 December 2023 . The Yorkshire Post.
  13. Web site: 3 October 2022 . Muizz Mustapha moves to the Tigers . 23 December 2023 . Castleford Tigers.
  14. Web site: Cartwright . Phil . 26 February 2023 . Super League: Castleford Tigers 6-24 St Helens - club world champions claim win in domestic opener . 23 December 2023 . BBC Sport.
  15. Web site: Castleford Tigers ace Alex Mellor delivers brutally honest assessment of 'awful' season; 'We've massively underperformed' . www.loverugbyleague.com.
  16. Web site: Love Rugby League. 20 Jun 2024. Drew Darbyshire. Super League loan watch: Wigan Warriors prop makes short-term Leeds Rhinos switch.
  17. Web site: 11 Sep 2019 . 60 Man Nigeria Squad . 24 Dec 2020 . www.nigeriarugbyleague.org.