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Akwa United striker Mfon Udoh and Nasarawa United striker Sunsi Ibrahim were the last seasons Golden Boot winners in the Nigerian Professional Football League with 10 goals apiece. It was a season of defenders' brilliance as finding the back of the net was a nightmare for the strikers.
However, this season the strikers are showing signs of beating the 10 goals tally that last season Golden Boot winners recorded. Two players have already scored six goals in the opening ten rounds of the Nigerian Professional Football League, and therefore only four goals away from matching the number of goals that were scored by last season's Golden Boot winners.
This season Golden Boot race is going to be tight as multiple goalscorers are showing the potential of being crowned winners of the prestigious award at the end of the season.
Here's a look at players who could challenge for the Nigerian Professional Football League Golden Boot this season;
#3 Jimoh Oni (Abia Warriors)
Jimoh Oni has been a revelation for Abia Warriors this season. The former Ifeanyi Ubah F.C attacker has contributed 62.5% of Abia Warriors goals this season hence propelling 'Ochonde Babes' to 10th place in the Nigerian Professional Football League table.
With his 5 goals this season, Jimoh Oni is enjoying his best-ever scoring streak and is expected to only get better as the season progress. His 5 goals this season also include match-winning goals that have helped earn valuable points for his side.
Jimoh Oni has become a talismanic figure at Abia Warriors this season and the team's success will be heavily dependent on his goal-scoring form. He has developed into a real beast in front of the goal and has been a real menace to defenders this season.
#2 Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba)
Victor Mbaoma is leading Enyimba quest for back to back Nigerian Profesional League title this season. The striker has already scored some crucial goals for the Elephants this season.
He scored a brace to secure maximum points for his side against Adamawa United, netted a vital equaliser to rescue a point against the high-flying Lobi Stars and then secured another important victory for the Elephants by scoring the winning goal from a freekick against River United.
The striker is proving to be a shrewd signing for the defending Nigerian Professional League champions and will only get better from here on given that he is surrounded by top quality players. He already has 6 goals in 10 league appearances this season, putting him at the top of the goal-scoring charts.
The former Remo Stars striker is just four goals away from matching last season's tally of 10 goals which led to him winning the Golden Boot. If he continues his current goal scoring run, he has a big chance of winning the Golden Boot once again at the end of the season.
#1 Israel Abia (Sunshine Stars)
Israel Abia is currently the joint top scorer in the Nigerian Professional Football League alongside Enyimba's striker Victor Mbaoma. His six goals have propelled Sunshine Stars to the 6th position in the table.
After scoring four goals in the 4-2 demolition of Nasarawa United, Israel Abia admitted in an interview that he has his eyes set on this season's Golden Boot. His other two goals came against Adamawa United and MFM FC.
His goal against MFM FC helped his team secure a vital draw while his goal against Adamawa United was the first amongst the three that earned them a commanding away victory.
The big centre-forward has shown that with proper service from the midfield, he can deliver the goals for Sunshine Stars. He's expected to play a fundamental role for Sunshine Stars this season as he also marches' closer to winning the Golden Boot.
