The 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is gradually winding down with just two games left to decide who eventually will be crowned champions as well as the relegated teams.
It is a similar situation at the goalscoring end where three players are currently jostling for the top scorer crown.
Alongside these finishers, six other players have been able to notch double figures in a highly competitive yet eventful season.
Here are the top three goalscorers as at matchday 36 in the Nigerian topflight.
- Godwin Obaje – 18
Wikki Tourist forward, Godwin Obaje, is by far the most prolific striker in the league this season after notching 18 goals – including four in his last five. The Bauchi-based side are enjoying a remarkable campaign and are just three points adrift of league leaders, Rangers, with 54 points thanks to Obaje who has provided more than one-third of their goals.
However, for Obaje, who is five goals away from equalling Mfon Udoh’s record of 23 goals in a season, finishing as league champions supersedes any individual accolade.
“Of course, I want to finish as the league’s top scorer and also as a league champion with Wikki,” the home-based Super Eagles striker admitted.
“But if I were to choose one between the two, I will go for the league title. Individual awards are none of my immediate concerns at the moment.”
- Ismaila Gata Adeshina – 14
When Ismaila Gata Adeshina made a surprise switch to FC IfeanyiUbah after the first stanza, many faulted that decision – having enjoyed a superb run with Niger Tornadoes where he scored nine goals. However, his gamble certainly paid off as the forward has continued his impressive goalscoring feat with the Nnewi Millionaires with an additional six goals.
Gata’s rise to stardom has been somewhat a stormy and turbulent one after unsuccessful spells at about eight professional clubs including Albanian side, FK Kukesi. And unlike Obaje, Gata aims to become top scorer by hitting a milestone 25 goals.
“Of course, the main target is to emerge the top scorer at the end of the season and I believe 25 goals will be good enough to hand me the goal king gong,” the former Enyimba man said.
“Nothing says the target could not be exceeded once the opportunity is there and I experience injury-free season.”
- Abdulrahman Bashir – 13
Abdulrahman Bashir is the only bright spot in a relatively disappointing season for Nasarawa United. The Solid Miners who finished third last season are currently ninth on the log with 34 points with Bashir contributing 13 out of their 39 goals scored this term.
The forward picked up the pieces of his career with Lobi Stars last season by continuing his goalscoring prowess this season. He notched the only goal for NPFL All Stars in the 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in August.
However, his spectacular form has come as a surprise – as the former Enyimba man claims he never planned to score so many goals this term.
“I didn’t plan for the goals to come at all,” he admitted.
“I just try to do my job as a striker and luckily for me the goals kept going in. It has been down to the prayers and encouragement I get from our fans and family. It is what has kept me going.”
