The trio of Wikki Tourists midfielder Jonathan Mairiga, Remo Stars striker Victor Mbaoma and Godwin Obaje of Rangers made sure the race for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) golden boot went down to the final moments of the season.
Obaje was in pole position going into the final day of the season on 14 goals and came up against Ikorodu City in a contest that defined the title race and continental spot.
Remo Stars captain, Mbaoma, on the other hand, had the weight of his team’s survival from relegation on his shoulders and he indeed got among the goals on the final day at Bendel Insurance. His goal, at the end, proved insufficient as they played out a 1-1 draw that meant the defending champions got relegated.
However, Mairiga was the man in red-hot form in the run-in of the campaign. The midfielder practically carried Wikki Tourists on his back, scoring six goals in the final six matchdays in a bid to save the Bauchi club from the drop.
Unfortunately, Mairiga’s free-scoring run in those final six matchweeks could not save Wikki as they got relegated before the final day. But that did not deter the midfielder from getting among the goals on the final day at Kun Khalifat where they lost 1-3.
BREAKDOWN OF THE TRIO’S GOAL INVOLVEMENT
Obaje made 33 appearances for Rangers and contributed 14 goals and three assists. Take away Obaje’s contribution and Rangers would be no where near winning the title.
Mairiga featured in 35 league matches in the season. He scored 14 goals and provided four assists to cap up an impressive individual outing in his debut NPFL season.
After missing most of the early stages of the campaign due to a bruised ribs, Mbaoma made 29 appearances for Remo Stars and scored 14 goals. He also contributed three assists.
One thing stands out in Mairiga’s performance. All of his 14 goals came from open play and that puts him heads and shoulders above Mbaoma and Obaje according to the league’s framework and rules where there is a tie.
Mairiga’s numbers compared to Obaje and Mbaoma shows both strikers got a goal each from the spot from their total tallies in the campaign.
THE CHASING PACK
There were also the chasers in the race for the golden boot. Joseph Arumala of Ikorodu City and Katsina United’s Uche Collins stayed within touching distance of the leaders and at some point led the race in the course of the campaign.
In the closing stages of the season, the goals somehow suddenly dried up for Arumala and Uche Collins. Arumala finished the season on 13 goals while Collins had 12.
Arumala and Collins managed two goals each in the final six matchweeks which could not help them sustain their momentum in the race for the golden boot.
The outsiders in the race were Abia Warriors striker Emeka Obioma and Enyimba’s Chidera Michael finished the campaign on 11 goals apiece.
REWARD
The top scorers are now in line to mount the podium for recognition following their immense contribution in the just-concluded season that spanned 276 calendar days.
It would be recalled that after the 2024/25 season, the NPFL in partnership with GTI honoured the top performers in a ceremony in Abuja. Anas Yusuf who ended that campaign as top scorer with 18 goals got a N2 million award and the golden boot for his exceptional contribution in the colours of Nasarawa United while Daniel Ogunmodede was also rewarded N2 million for guiding Remo Stars as head coach to their first league title.
TOP SCORERS
14 GOALS
Godwin Obaje (Rangers)
Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars)
Jonathan Mairiga (Wikki)
13 GOALS
Joseph Arumala (Ikorodu City)
12 GOALS
Uche Collins (Katsina Utd)
11 GOALS
Emeka Obioma (Abia Warriors)
Chidera Michael (Enyimba)