The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is into match day ten and the goals keep on coming.
There has been no shortage of spectacular goals this season, the latest, being Kingsley Maduforo's overhead kick goal to earn Rangers a share of the spoils in Ilorin last weekend.
This season, the average goal per game is about 2.34 which is not bad considering how tough the terrain is in Nigeria.
Plateau United with 13 goals have scored the highest amount of goals while the quartet of Remo Stars, Rivers United, Enyimba and El-Kanemi Warriors all have 12 goals.
The clubs to have scored the least amount of goals – six, are Shooting Stars, Heartland and Akwa United.
As the season enters Matchday 10, there has no shortage of goals and a lot of players have begun to show their intent scoring goals and helping their team to get points.
Beyond the impressive team performances, individual brilliance has been on full display as well.
The race for the NPFL Golden Boot is heating up, with several players already making their mark in front of goal.
Nasarawa United's Anas Yusuf is the front-runner this term as he has averaged nearly a goal per game and will be the man to look out for this term.
Unlike last season when Chijioke Mbaoma and Sikiru Alimi went toe to toe, this term, Yusuf has gone off the blocks and with the second top scorer four goals behind him.
Early days yet as football has taught us a lot can happen it very little time.
Here are the top scorers in the 10-week-old Nigeria Premier Football League
Ana Yusuf – Nasarawa United (9 goals)
Nasarawa United’s return to the NPFL has been rocky, with the team still searching for a bit of consistency, and has only won one game at home so far.
However, one player has stood out amid their struggles—team captain Ana Yusuf.
The prolific forward has been a beacon of hope for the Solid Miners, topping the goal-scoring charts with seven goals already.
Yusuf opened his account on match day one, converting a penalty in his side's 1-1 draw with Shooting Stars.
He followed that up with a sensational hat-trick in a thrilling but disappointing 4-3 home loss to El-Kanemi Warriors, before adding another the following week.
Anas then bagged his second hattrick of the season in Nasarawa United's 3-0 win over Abia Warriors on match-day seven to take his season's tally to seven.
His ninth goal came against Kano Pillars in their 1-0 home win
The club will be banking on him to keep finding the back of the net as they seek to maintain their NPFL status.
Ossy Martins – Lobi Stars
The forward has always been among the goals in the last 2–3 seasons, but his return to Lobi Stars has seen him firing on all cylinders.
The bulky forward is the hottest striker behind Anas Yusuf off Nasarawa United, scoring his fifth goal in only five matches he's featured in this term
Lobi Stars, who are flirting with relegation, will hope his goals can get them back to their best form and give coach Daniel Amokachi something to smile about.
Rabiu Ali – Kano Pillars (Four goals)
The veteran midfielder, like the proverbial wine, seems to get better with age as he is well on course to registering double digits in goals contribution for the 11 straight season.
He has led the Kano side by example despite his age, and there is no doubt he will rake in double digits in goals contributions this season if he stays fit.
Sunday Megwo – Abia Warriors (Four goals)
An unsung hero quietly making his mark in Umuahia as Abia Warriors continue their impressive start to the season.
Megwo, unheralded in the NPFL, is making a name for himself, helping Abia Warriors to fifth place on the table with his goals.
He will definitely be challenging for the top scorer's gong at the end of the season
Ahmed Musa – Kano Pillars (3 goals)
The Super Eagles captain's second missionary journey to the NPFL has yielded great dividends for the Kano side.
On his debut against Sunshine Stars, he scored twice and then followed it up with a goal and an assist as Pillars hit Rangers 4-3 in Enugu in a pulsating encounter.
His return has certainly revitalised Kano Pillars.
Kabir Abdullahi – Rivers United (3 goals)
Kabir Abdullahi has quickly become one of the standout players of the season.
The young forward, who joined Rivers United from Kebbi United in the off-season, has made an immediate impact with his energetic displays and eye for goal.
Abdullahi has already netted three goals in just two substitute appearances, making him one of the early revelations of the NPFL campaign.
In his debut for Rivers United, Abdullahi came off the bench to score twice in a 3-1 victory over Heartland in Port Harcourt.
He followed that up with a match-winning goal in Lafia, once again coming off the bench to seal a 1-0 win against Lobi Stars.
Abdullahi’s ability to change the game from the bench has caught the attention of fans and coaches alike, and his form could prove pivotal for Rivers United as they chase another title.
Sodiq Ismail – Remo Stars (3 goals)
Not many defenders get mentioned in the race for the Golden Boot, but Sodiq Ismail is proving to be an exception.
Known more for his assists last season, Ismail has added goals to his game this year and has already scored twice in Remo Stars’ impressive start to the campaign.
The talented defender opened his account on match day one, scoring in Remo Stars’ 3-0 demolition of Abia Warriors in Umuahia.
He followed that up with another goal as the Ikenne-based side earned a 2-0 victory over Katsina United match day two.
Sodiq then got another when Nasarawa United came calling in Ikenne to take his goal tally to three.
His knack for finding the net from set-pieces and open play has been a key factor in Remo Stars’ two away wins, and head coach Dan Ogunmodede will be hoping his contributions continue to fuel the team’s push for their first-ever NPFL title.
Top scorers so far this season
- Anas Yusuf (Nsarawa United) – 8 goals
- Ossy Martins (Lobi Stars) – 5 goals
- Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars) – 4 goals
- Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors) – 4 goals
- Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars) – 3 goals
- Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars) – 3 goals
- Kabir Abdullahi (Rivers United) – 3 goals
- Anthony Ebuka (Plateau United) – 3 goals
- Isaac Saviour (Rangers) – 3 goals
- Azeez Falolu (Katsina United) – 3 goals
- Ibrahim Mustapha (El-Kanemi Warriors) – 3 goals
- Ifeanyi Ihemekwele (Enyimba) – 3 goals
Highlights from last season
The 2023/24 NPFL season saw some thrilling competition, particularly in the race for the top scorer award.
Enyimba striker Chijioke Mbaoma clinched the top scorer title in a closely contested battle with Remo Stars’ striker Sikiru Alimi.
As the season reached its climax, Mbaoma flourished while Alimi went through a goal drought. Mbaoma finished the season with 17 goals, just ahead of Alimi's 15.
Earlier in the season, Bayelsa United striker Robert Mizo appeared to be on a mission as he started the league with a series of impressive performances.
Mizo led the charts alongside Mbaoma, scoring 10 goals before departing the league to join Libyan side Al Ahli Benghazi.
Several other strikers made notable contributions throughout the season. Sporting Lagos' Jonathan Alukwu, despite his team's relegation, scored 12 goals, the same number as Plateau United’s Albert Hilary, whose season was cut short due to injury.
Godwin Obaje of Rangers and Bashir Usman of Niger Tornadoes also ended the season with 12 goals each.
Akwa United winger Suleiman Sani made a significant impact despite joining midway through the season, scoring 11 goals in 19 games, giving him the best goals-per-game ratio of the season.
Top three scorers of the 2023/24 NPFL season
- Chijioke Mbaoma (Enyimba) – 17 goals
- Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars) – 15 goals
- Jonathan Alukwu (Sporting Lagos) – 12 goals
- Albert Hilary (Plateau United) – 12 goals
- Godwin Obaje (Rangers) – 12 goals
- Bashir Usman (Niger Tornadoes) – 12 goals
Who was last season’s top scorer?
Ultimately, Chijioke Mbaoma was crowned the top scorer after a gruelling 38-game season in the NPFL for 2023/24.
The 22-year-old scored 17 league goals, with nine coming from open play and eight from the penalty spot.
In addition, he provided four assists, contributing to 21 goal involvements overall.
Favourites for the 2024/25 NPFL top scorer award
The race for the top scorer award in the upcoming 2024/25 season is expected to be exciting, with several familiar faces likely to be in contention.
However, many of last season’s top scorers have already left or are expected to leave Nigeria to continue their careers abroad.
Suleiman Sani has already joined Czech side AS Trenčín, while Jonathan Alukwu has completed a move to Austria.
There are also rumours that Godwin Obaje, Bashir Usman, Albert Hilary, and Chijioke Mbaoma might leave for overseas opportunities.
Sikiru Alimi, however, remains with Remo Stars and is expected to continue his fine form from last season.
Ibrahim Mustapha has returned to his former club El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri and will be looking to challenge for the top scorer award.
Ubong Friday of Akwa United is another potential contender if he remains in the NPFL, alongside Christian Pyagbara of Shooting Stars, who scored 10 goals last season.
Kano Pillars teenager Yusuf Abdullahi also showed great promise last season and could mount a challenge for the top scorer title.
Remo Stars’ duo of Shuaibu Ibrahim, who has returned to Nigeria after stints in Europe and Asia, and Togolese striker Franck Mawuena, should also be among the players to watch this season.
Enyimba’s new signing, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele, picked up from Ijebu United, is a dark horse for the top scorer award.
The burly striker will be looking to make an impact in the NPFL following his impressive performances in the Nigeria National League (NNL).