The weekend matches in the local league have seen an Enugu Rangers forward enter the pantheon of NPFL top goal scorers in history.
In a country where local players go unsung, Godwin Obaje might go under the radar as he hits another milestone in his football career.
The Enugu Rangers forward was on fire for the Flying Antelopes as they took on Gombe United in an NPFL Week 18 match.
Enugu Rangers whitewashed the Savannah Scorpions 4-1 but remain ninth on the log.
Godwin Obaje joined the likes of Rabiu Ali in the ranks of NPFL top goal scorers in history.
He bagged a brace to reach an uncommon milestone of 70 NPFL goals.
NPFL top goal scorers in history: Godwin Obaje hits 71st goal
It was a sunny Saturday in Awka as Enugu Rangers hosted Gombe United in a Week 18 match.
Godwin rarely leads the attack for the Flying Antelopes, but coach Fidelis Ilechukwu let him lead the line.
No one had an idea what was in the offing, but it was the day Obaje decided to hit a peculiar milestone by entering the list of NPFL top goal scorers in history.
70 – Major milestone! Godwin Obaje’s brace in #RANGOM takes his total #NPFL career goal tally to 70 goals.
He’s played for the likes of Wikki Tourists FC, FC Ifeanyiubah, Plateau United FC, Abia Warriors FC & currently Rangers Int’l FC.#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/RJS2rS9vkd
— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) January 13, 2024
The 27-year-old forward got his first of the day after Wasiu Alalade had put Gombe United in front. He hit the 71-goal mark a few minutes before halftime to give the home side the lead.
Obaje thus took his tally to five goals this season. He is still some way from the league topscorer Sikiru Alimi, but if he continues in this vein, he could challenge for the award.
Godwin Obaje: A history of goals
Obaje has come a long way, and no one can begrudge him his place in history. Not many players get to score as many as 70 goals in the NPFL, but he is writing his name in history.
Obaje may not be as famous as Rabiu Ali, who hit his 110th league goal last year, but he has a place among the NPFL top goal scorers in history.
The Enugu Rangers forward started with Wikki Tourists before heading for Slovak side Trenčín in 2015.
He didn't stay long in Slovakia. He returned to Nigeria with Wikki Tourists and was the top goal scorer in the NPFL in 2016 with 18 goals.
5️⃣0️⃣ – Godwin Obaje's goal against Adamawa United today is his 50th in the #NPFL. Milestone
He has previously played for Wikki Tourists, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Plateau United in the top-flight.#NPFL21 pic.twitter.com/rIUv98PSpO
— Engineer Kowope (@Undisputed_Jsam) July 28, 2021
He also played for Ifeanyi Ubah, Plateau United, JSK (Kairouan – Tunisia), Abia Warriors, and Sidama Bunna (Ethiopia) before he joined the Flying Antelopes for the 2022/23 season.
As the season hits the halfway mark, Obaje knows he has to do more to equal his 2016 feat of 18 league goals.
Take a bow, Godwin Obaje, for the unique milestone of 71 goals and entering the list of NPFL top goal scorers in history.
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Godwin Obaje NPFL goal stats |
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| 2015 | Wikki Tourists | 7 |
| 2016 | Wikki Tourists | 18 |
| 2017 | FC Ifeanyi Ubah | 12 |
| 2018 | FC Ifeanyi Ubah | 4 |
| 2019 | Plateau United | 1 |
| 2020/21 | Abia Warriors | 8 |
| 2021/22 | Abia Warriors | 13 |
| 2022/23 | Enugu Rangers | 3 |
| 2023/24 | Enugu Rangers | 5 |
| TOTAL | 71 | |
This article was most recently revised and updated 9 months ago
