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Just one game into the second stanza of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League, there are four hat-tricks already with strikers in a neck-and-neck race for the Golden Boot. PUNCH Sports Extra’s ABIODUN ADEWALE spotlights the players lighting up the NPFL with goals
SIKIRU ALIMI (REMO STARS)
With 11 goals in 17 appearances, Remo Stars striker, Alimi, currently leads the NPFL goal chart but he is yet to score a hat-trick this season. The 27-year-old has rediscovered his goal scoring form in the NPFL since making a sensational return to the Ikenne-side at the start of the season. He has contributed 40 per cent of Remo’s 27 goals this season, propelling them to the top of the table with 36 points after 20 games. It’s his second stint at the club after playing half of the 2021/22 season, scoring nine goals in 15 games. He also has three assists already.
There are 18 more games left this season and it remains to be seen if Alimi can break the 10-year-old NPFL goal record of 23 goals, which was set by Mfon Udoh in the 2013/14 season.
ALBERT HILARY (PLATEAU UNITED)
From scoring his fifth goal of the season with a hat-trick against Bayelsa United on match-day 13, Hilary rose rapidly in the goal chart, adding five more goals to reach double figures (10 goals) on match-day 20. His 10 goals so far this season came in seven consecutive games and he has expressed confidence in winning the highest goal scorer award. Hilary’s contributions also saw Plateau United rise in the NPFL table and are now fourth with 34 points.
CHIJIOKE MBAOMA (ENYIMBA)
Following the departure of last season’s top scorer, Emeka Obioma, champions Enyimba needed another goal poacher and Mbaoma is rising to the occasion. Despite a slow start to the season by both player and club, the powerfully built striker is now on eight goals in 16 appearances to sit third in the chart. He also has two assists to his name.
YUSUF ABDULLAHI (KANO PILLARS)
On match-day 11, 18-year-old Abdullahi scored all five goals as Kano Pillars beat Gombe United 5-2 away at the Pantami Stadium. He became the first player in 10 years to score five goals in the NPFL after Emem Eduok scored six for Dolphins in their 6-0 thrashing of Nembe City in October 2014.
He was only promoted from Pillars youth team ahead of the start of the season.
Though he is yet to add to his tally in the league, his achievement sent tongues wagging and he has attracted interest from clubs in Europe.
NYIMA NWAGUA (RIVERS UNITED)
Rivers United captain, Nwagua, is the latest player to bag a hat-trick this season after helping his side to a nervy 3-2 win over Doma United on Sunday. It was the first NPFL career hat-trick for Nwagua, who has previously played for Kano Pillars. He now has five goals this season and with two more goals, he would have equalled his seven-goal tally for last season.
KAREEM AYINDE (3SC)
Even while 3SC are struggling in the league, one of the things that put a smile on the faces of Ibadan fans is the form of Ayinde, who has contributed seven goals so far this season. The club has only two wins in their last 10 matches, losing five plus three draws. Ayinde scored four times in that period.
BASHIR USMAN (NIGER TORNADOES)
Like Ayinde, Usman has been the shining light of relegation-threatened Tornadoes with seven goals. They have also won two of their last 10 matches and he scored three times in that period, including a brace in their 3-2 defeat at home to Plateau United. Having scored seven of their 12 goals this season, hopefully, his goals might save them from relegation as they sit 17th in the table with 21 points from 20 games.
ROBERT MIZO
Former Bayelsa United striker Mizo scored the first hat-trick of the season on match-day one. His three goals saw the Prosperity Boys come from behind to beat Akwa United 5-3. Mizo scored 10 goals before departing for Al Hilal of Libya last month.