Nigerian Football
NPFL Final Day: All Eyes on Lobi’s Okpotu for Golden Boots
BY CLEMENT NWANKPA JR.
Unless Lobi Stars’ Anthony Okpotu re-enacts Emem Eduok’s 2014 form against FC IfeanyiUbah on final day, Mfon Udoh’s record 23 goals in a season is on the verge of surviving a third season.
In 2014, Emem Eduok, then donning the colours of Dolphins, scored all six goals as Dolphins beat Nembe City 6-0. That is still a league record as no other player has scored six times in an Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game.
That feat at the time took Eduok’s tally to 19. Eduok would score Dolphins consolation in a 1-3 loss to Bayelsa United the next match day to grab his 20th.
Incidentally, that same match day, Mfon Udoh grabbed a brace in Enyimba’s 2-1 away win over Nembe taking his tally to 20. At 20, both players had equalled the record at the time held by Jude Aneke.
With both tied on 20 goals on match day 36, Udoh pulled away with the last two matches. He scored Enyimba’s solitary goal in the 1-1 draw with Dolphins on MD 37 before scoring twice in the 3-1 defeat of Pillars on the final day. Thus he ended the season on 23 goals, a new NPFL record.
Considering the form shown by Stephen Odey earlier this season, many thought Udoh’s record would be eclipsed.
By the halfway mark, Odey had 14 goals, nine short of equalling the record while 10 would set a new record. With 19 matches to play in the second stanza, Odey was deemed capable of setting a new record.
But just like Godwin Oboe, last season, Ode’s potency reduced during the second stanza.
A combination of transfer imbroglios, and national team invitations didn’t help his focus on the target. He scored just four more goals bringing his tally to 18.
While all eyes were on Odey all season, Okpotu has stole in. His goal from the spot last Sunday means he is tied with Odey on 18.
With Odey’s move to FC Zurich, the coast is clear for Okpotu to emerge top scorer with another strike against FC IfeanyiUbah on final day.
Everything is pointing towards Udoh’s record surviving this season unless Okpotu does an Eduok. Can ‘the Panther’ produce six goals against FCIU this weekend? That will take his tally to 24, a new record.
Interestingly, Okpotu is not new to scoring many in a game. He has scored three hat-tricks this season. So it means nine of his 18 goals have come in just three games.
With the WAFU Cup fixtures shifted till Monday making the invited players available for their teams’ final day ties, FCIU defenders would face a highly ambitious Okpotu.
Do they have antidotes to ‘the Panther’s’ venom? Just a goal would ensure Okpotu ends his most productive season with due recognition.
Perhaps, Odey needed extra push to re-enact his killer first stanza form during the second stanza.
Like last season’s top scorer, Obaje, he removed his foot from the pedal beyond the halfway mark. If he was as potent as he was in the first stanza, he should have notched 28 goals.
Ironically, Udoh scored only eight goals in the first stanza of the season in which he set the record.
So with 15 goals, he was more potent in the second stanza. In fact, his first goal of that season was in the 3-0 defeat of Lobi Stars on match day eight.
Just as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi bring out the best in each other, Eduok’s form in 2014 was largely responsible for Udoh setting the new record. Eduok kept pushing Udoh all the way.
Perhaps, Udoh would have slowed down by match day 35 if he had 18 goals and Eduok was still on 13. But Eduok scored six times on that day taking him to 19, one more than Udoh.
Udoh scored five in the last three games to end at 23 while Eduok scored 21 times. In fact, with both players tied at 20 goals, Dolphins engaged Enyimba on match day 37 with both players being on the score sheet. So going into the final day, both had 21 goals. Udoh’s brace on the last day gave him the edge.
So while Eduok kept firing, Udoh kept replying. Should other strikers be blamed for not pushing Odey harder?
Beyond Okpotu, injured Abia Warriors’ Sunday Adetunji is on 14; Lobi’s Kingsley Eduwo, 13; Godwin Obaje (FCIU), 12; Alhassan Ibrahim (Akwa), 12; Samuel Mathias (El Kanemi), 12; Mfon Udoh (Enyimba), 12; Adamu Hassan (Nasarawa), 12; Chinedu Udechukwu (Katsina), 11.
As the saying goes, better late than never. Okpotu’s late push may not be enough to set a new record but could suffice to overtake Odey on the final day.
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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