As the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season enters its decisive final stretch, the race for the prestigious Golden Boot has reached a fever pitch with only a handful of games remaining.
The league’s elite marksmen are separated by the thinnest of margins, turning every match-day into a high-stakes shootout for individual glory and continental qualification.
This season has seen a remarkable resurgence in clinical finishing across the league, with several strikers already surpassing the goal tallies of previous campaigns.
The hunt for the Golden Boot is no longer just a personal milestone; it has become the primary engine driving the title ambitions of Nigeria’s biggest clubs.
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.
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.
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 (Shooting Stars), 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 match weeks. 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, Shooting Stars’ 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.
With key fixtures against direct rivals looming, the race is expected to go down to the final whistle of the lastl day.
Whether it’s a last-minute tap-in or a 30-yard screamer, the man who claims the Golden Boot this year will have truly earned his place in the annals of Nigerian football history.