The race for the Golden Boot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has taken centre stage as the 2025 2026 season heads into its decisive final weeks, with only a handful of games left to determine the league’s top scorer.
What began as a competitive contest has now turned into a tightly fought battle, with the leading forwards separated by the slimmest of margins. Every matchday is proving crucial, not just for individual honours but also for clubs chasing the title and continental qualification.
At the top of the NPFL standings, Godwin Obaje of Rangers International and Joseph Arumala of Ikorodu City are level on 11 goals each, setting the pace in a fiercely contested race.
Close behind them is a strong chasing group on 10 goals, including Victor Mbaoma of Remo Stars, Daddy Abdulrahman of El Kanemi Warriors, Uche Collins of Katsina United and Emeka Obioma representing Abia Warriors.
Among the frontrunners, Obaje and Arumala have been particularly influential, each contributing 11 goals and two assists for their sides. Mbaoma has also been impressive, recording 10 goals and assists despite playing fewer matches after missing the early part of the season due to a rib injury. Abdulrahman, meanwhile, has combined durability with productivity, leading the group in appearances while registering 12 direct goal involvements.
Obioma stands out as the only player among the top six yet to provide an assist this season, while Collins remains the only one in that group to have scored a hat trick.
Just behind the leading pack, several players are still firmly in contention. Temitope Vincent Adebayo of Plateau United has nine goals, alongside consistent performers like Sodiq Ibrahim of Shooting Stars SC, Chidera Michael of Enyimba FC and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves, all of whom have been steadily adding to their tallies in recent weeks.
Further down the list, a group of outsiders on eight goals, including Jonathan Mairiga, Chidozie Iwundu, Kayode Oke, Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa, are still within striking distance if they can finish the season strongly. Veteran Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars remains in the conversation with seven goals.
Iwundu, in particular, has drawn attention for his performances from defence, emerging as the top scoring defender in the league with eight goals in 29 appearances. His contributions have been vital for Rangers as they continue to push for the title.
With key fixtures against direct rivals still to come and the gap between the top scorers so narrow, the battle for the Golden Boot looks set to go down to the final day of the season.
