DONCASTER coach Richard Horne reckons Muizz Mustapha’s energy and stamina will be key to his plan to drive his team up the table – and keep them there.
The South Yorkshire side spent some time in the Championship play-off positions last season – only to slip down to a final placing of eighth for the second year in succession.
Horne knows the pressure is on to do better, and has built up his squad, with former Leeds and Castleford frontrower Mustapha the first of a string of additions.
“We needed to add numbers, because we were running out at the back-end of the season when injures were hitting, and also a bit more strength,” said the coach, who has been at the helm since mid-2017 and led the Dons out of the old League One in 2023.
“We were keen to get some more middles (in addition, France international Gadwin Springer has switched from Featherstone) and Muizz was a key target for us.”
The Nigeria-born 25-year-old came through the Leeds Academy to play nine times for the first team, and also had temporary spells at Dewsbury, Newcastle Thunder, Hull KR (eleven outings, including two Super League play-off ties, in 2021) and Bradford before joining Castleford three years ago.
Mustapha played 45 times for the Tigers, and also had a two-match temporary spell at Batley in 2024.
He cut short his contract to sign for Doncaster on a two-year deal, and Horne predicted: “He is going to be a key part of our squad as we look to progress.
“He is full of energy and pretty powerful, and has ability to do big minutes will help us get some extra impact from our rotations.
“He’s a good age as well, because he has plenty of games behind him but plenty left in the tank.
“And he still wants to achieve, which is important for any player joining us.”
Mustapha said: “There are some big ambitions for the club and that suits me.”