Chijioke Mbaoma edges Sikiru Alimi to 2023/24 NPFL top goal scorer prize

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Enyimba FC striker Chijioke Mbaoma ended the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season as the league’s top goal scorer as the curtain falls on the campaign on Sunday.

He had scored 16 goals, a goal more than the nearest rival, Remo Stars Sikiru Alimi ahead of their game with Plateau United.

The former Heartland FC player scored the opener in the 78th minute to orchestrate a 2-0 win for the People’s Elephant against the Jos-based side which sealed third place and qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Mbaoma ended the season with 17 goals and two assists finishing at least two goals ahead of Alimi who scored 15 goals while four other players on the top goal-scorers list finished the campaign with 12 goals.

They are Jonathan Alukwu (Sporting Lagos), Hilary Albert (Plateau United), Godwin Obaje (Enugu Rangers), and Bashiru Usman (Niger Tornadoes).

Mbaoma’s contribution to the Aba-based side ensured their third-place finish and sealed another continental qualification.

This will be the second consecutive season that Enyimba will produce the league’s top goal scorer. Chukwuemeka Obioma (2023) and Chijioke Mbaoma (2024) ended the last two seasons as league’s top goal scorers from the same team.

Rivers United’s Chijioke Akuneto emerged as the league’s top goal scorer with 19 goals at the end of the 2021/2022 season.