Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2022/2023 season ended with some exciting best forwards firing their sides to victory. The abridged season ended with 6 teams qualifying for the Championship playoffs. The Championship playoffs brought more excitement, as a total of 31 goals were scored in 15 matches. Enyimba FC were crowned Champions of the 2022/23 league season with a 2 goals difference margin, after finishing the playoffs with 9 points along with Rivers United and Remo Stars.
We'll take a look at the 10 best forwards in the league, ranked according to the number of goals they scored in the regular season and also in the Championship playoffs.
Best Forwards of the 2022/23 NPFL Season
1. Chukwuemeka Obioma – 16 Goals, Enyimba FC
The prolific striker finished as the top scorer of the NPFL 2022/23 season with 16 goals, and was by far the best forward in the league. He helped the Abia State club win their 9th league title. The 24 year old forward scored 14 goals in the abridged season and would go on to add 2 more goals in the Championship playoffs which earned him the Golden Boot.
2. Robert Mizo – 9 Goals, Bayelsa United
The 22 year old Bayelsa born Mizo was one of the best forwards of the NPFL season as his 9 goals tally helped to keep the Niger Delta club in the league for the 2023/24 season. They finished 7th in Group B of the abridged season.
3. Imade Osarenkhoe – 8 Goals, Bendel Insurance
Imade, 22, is another young talent that excelled in the just concluded season. The youngster was impressive for Benin City club this season. His 8 goals and 2 assists contributed to help Bendel Insurance top the NPFL Group A table of the abridged league season.
Although he failed to produce his regular season form as he led the attack for Bendel Insurance in the Championship playoffs. His side finished with 3 points, and failed to get a ticket for continental competitions next season.
4. Nwangwa Nekaberi Nyima – 7 Goals, Rivers United
The 30 year old centre forward arrived at the Port Harcourt based club from Kano Pillars on a free transfer in 2021, and helped the oil city club win their first league title last season. The prolific front man was Rivers United's top scorer in the league with 7 Goals.
Rivers United finished the Championship playoff with the same points as winners Enyimba FC, but with less goal difference of 2 placing them third, behind Remo Stars who finished second on 3 goals difference.
SEE ALSO | Top Scorers of the NPFL 2022-2023 Season
5. Umar Abba – 6 Goals, Lobi Stars
Lobi Stars' Umar Abba caught the attention of many Nigerian fans and clubs during the 2022/23 NPFL season
Abba, 22, arrived at the Makurdi-based club from Katsina United in October 2022, and was pivotal in the team's performances as they finished 2nd and 6th in Group B of the abridged season and Championship playoffs respectively.
The young striker ended the season as Lobi Stars' top scorer in the league with 6 goals and 1 assist to his name.
6. Cyril Olisemah – 6 Goals, Akwa United
Cyril Olisemah is among the best forwards in the league this season. He joined Akwa United in September 2022 from Saudi Arabian side Al-Kawkab Club on a free transfer. Although his 6 Goals and 2 assists were not enough to help Akwa United make it to the Super Six Playoffs, but his contribution is enough to keep Akwa United in the league for next season.
7. Musa Usman – 6 goals, Doma United
Doma United secured the services of Usman in December 2022 as they gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The former Gombe United forward led the attack for Doma United as they finished 5th in Group B of the abridged season, keeping them up for NPFL football next season.
8. Ismail Sarki – 6 Goals, Bendel Insurance
Sarki, 20, joined Bendel Insurance in July, 2022 and was quick to integrate into the team as he formed a very strong front partnership for the Benin City club.
Bendel Insurance finished top of Group A of the abridged season with 34 points and 5th in the Championship Super Six Playoffs. The youngster has excelled in his first season for the club scoring 6 goals and 1 assist in all competitions
9. David Okoromi – 6 Goals, Niger Tornadoes
Niger Tornadoes' centre forward David Okoromi is another name on the list of best forwards of the season in NPFL. The 21 year old striker scored 6 times in the league as he helped his new club finish 6th in Group B keeping them up in the league for next season.
10. Yusuf Ibrahim – 5 Goals, Sunshine Stars
Sunshine Stars of Akure finished second in Group B of the 2022/2023 NPFL regular season, and as such qualified for the Super Six Championship that eventually determined the ultimate winner of the title.
Yusuf Ibrahim scored 5 goals and 2 assists this season, having just arrived at the club in December 2022 from Remo Stars. Yusuf led the attack as Sunshine Stars finished 4th in the Super Six Championship playoffs standings.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
