Sports

NPFL’s Top Finishers Go Down To The Wires

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2026

‎By George Akpayen

‎The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.

‎However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season and this could see as much as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.

‎Top contenders on the race for the battle for the golden boot are Rangers International striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.

‎On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.

‎THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN

‎Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goals involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.

‎El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).

‎Obioma is however the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.

‎Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.

‎

‎THE CHASING PACK

‎

‎There is also the chasing pack in the race for the golden boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.

‎The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goalscorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.

‎There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.

‎

‎WORTHY MENTION

‎However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and saw red once.

‎Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspiration this season and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.

‎No doubt, there will be twists and turns in for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds on to claim the top individual prize.

Share on Facebook

Sports

NSC, NCC Enter Bold Alliance to Make Nigeria E-Sports Capital – From Stadium to Server

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) is taking Nigerian sports beyond the track and pitch into the digital arena.

In a move that could redefine the future of sports development in the country, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Thursday led a high-powered delegation on a strategic working visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hon. Idris Olorunbe.

The meeting aimed at forging a groundbreaking partnership to accelerate sports digitalisation and position Nigerian e-sports on par with global standards.

During the meeting, Hon. Olopade made it clear that the NSC is ready to embrace technology as a core driver of growth.

“Our intention is to work closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve sports science, especially e-sports, through viable sponsorship. We are counting on the NCC to help deepen connectivity and attract the kind of corporate backing that modern sports demand.”
He further emphasized the need for private sector involvement.

“Corporate Social Responsibility must play a stronger role in sports development. We cannot build a 21st-century sports ecosystem without the tech and telecommunications sectors at the table. With strong cohesion between the NSC and NCC, there will be measurable improvement in sports sponsorship and digital infrastructure.”

“The NCC has a critical role to play in making e-sports work in Nigeria. From internet speed to gaming infrastructure, their support is essential if we want our athletes to compete and win on the global stage,” the DG added.

NCC Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe, responded with a strong statement that set the tone for what could become a landmark partnership:“Everything that can be done in traditional sports can also be done in e-sports. The question is not if we will do it, but how we are going to do it.”

He also highlighted the economic potential of the collaboration.

“There is huge economic value attached to this synergy. What we are trying to build goes beyond sports, it touches youth employment, digital innovation, and national branding. It is commendable that the DG has taken this step.”

Hon. Olorunbe further stressed the shared national objective driving both agencies.“The essence of this collaboration is to make our country better. For the sake of our e-sports athletes, we must build gaming hubs. We must create the environment, bandwidth, and policies that allow Nigerian talent to thrive.”

Both parties agreed to establish a joint technical working group to develop a roadmap for sports digitalisation, e-sports league structuring, and a national framework for attracting sponsors into the digital sports ecosystem.

The NSC–NCC alliance marks a significant step, potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators to build a sustainable digital sports economy.

Share on Facebook