The Nigeria Premier Football League’s early scoring race has produced an unexpected leader, with Ranchers Bees striker Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu, Kano Pillars defender Fabian Nworie and Doma United forward Sadiq Rilwan making impressive starts to the new campaign, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Zulkifilu currently sits at the top of the goalscoring chart after grabbing a hat-trick in Ranchers Bees’ emphatic 4-0 victory over Abia Warriors at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Monday.
The striker was handed his first start of the season and took full advantage of the opportunity, finding the net three times to move onto three goals after the opening two matchweeks.
Before Zulkifilu’s outstanding display, Rilwan had been the early pace-setter after scoring against both Sporting Lagos and Inter Lagos.
The Doma United forward remains the only player to have found the net in each of the first two matchweeks of the season.
Rilwan opened his account in Doma United’s 2-0 win over Sporting Lagos before scoring the decisive goal against Inter Lagos, helping his team maintain a perfect start to the campaign.
Nworie has provided another interesting twist to the early Golden Boot race, with the Kano Pillars centre-back scoring twice in his side’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.
The former Remo Stars defender’s brace marked his first goals in the top flight and the first time he had scored twice in a single match.
With just two matchweeks gone, the NPFL scoring chart is already beginning to take shape, although the season remains a long way from its conclusion.
For now, Zulkifilu leads the way, with Rilwan and Nworie also making strong claims as early contenders for the league’s Golden Boot.