Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu of Ranchers Bees, Kano Pillars defender Fabian Nworie, and Doma United forward Sadiq Rilwan have emerged as the early frontrunners in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, scoring race.
Zulkifilu shot to the top of the goalscoring chart after a remarkable hat-trick in Ranchers Bees’ 4-0 demolition of Abia Warriors at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Monday.
Making his first start of the season, the striker wasted no time making an impact, scoring three times to take his tally to three goals after just two matchweeks.
Before Zulkifilu claimed the top spot, Rilwan had been leading the race after scoring twice against Lagos-based sides Sporting Lagos and Inter Lagos.
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Rilwan, however, remains the only player to have scored in both matchweeks so far this season.
He opened his account in Doma United’s 2-0 victory over Sporting Lagos before scoring the winning goal against Inter Lagos to maintain his side’s perfect start to the campaign.
Nworie has also thrown his name into the goalscoring conversation despite playing as a centre-back. The Kano Pillars defender scored twice in his team’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.
It was the first time the former Remo Stars defender had scored twice in a single match and his first goals in a top-flight season.
With only two matchweeks completed, the early battle for the NPFL Golden Boot is already taking shape, with Zulkifilu, Rilwan and Nworie among the players setting the pace.
