Godwin Obaje Returns to NPFL Top Scorers’ Race as Rangers Star Closes In on Historic 100th Goal

Godwin Obaje has reclaimed top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League scoring chart after inspiring Rangers International F.C. to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bendel Insurance F.C. on Sunday.

The experienced forward scored both goals for the Flying Antelopes at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, taking his tally to 14 league goals this season.

Obaje is now just one goal away from reaching the remarkable milestone of 100 career goals in the Nigerian top flight — a feat that would further cement his status as one of the league’s most consistent strikers in recent years.

The 30-year-old previously won the NPFL Golden Boot in 2016 after scoring 18 goals and appears determined to repeat that achievement this season.

However, the race remains tight, with Victor Mbaoma of Remo Stars F.C. and Joseph Arumala of Ikorodu City F.C. both close behind on 13 goals.

Opinion: Obaje’s Consistency Deserves More National Attention

While much of the spotlight in Nigerian football often shifts abroad, players like Godwin Obaje continue to prove that the NPFL still possesses quality, experience, and compelling stories.

Scoring nearly 100 top-flight goals in Nigerian football is not just about talent — it reflects longevity, discipline, and the ability to adapt across different seasons and challenges. Obaje’s resurgence this season also underlines the importance of experienced forwards in a league increasingly dominated by younger talents.

What makes the Golden Boot race even more exciting is the competition from emerging names like Victor Mbaoma and Joseph Arumala. It highlights a healthy attacking standard in the NPFL heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

If Obaje reaches the 100-goal mark before the season ends, it would be more than a personal achievement — it would be a reminder that local football legends still deserve to be celebrated loudly.