Three matchdays into the 2026/27 NPFL season, Ranchers Bees striker Mohammed Zulkifilu tops the early scoring charts — but Doma United’s Sadiq Rilwan is the only player to have scored in every round.
Three rounds into the 2026/27 NPFL season, the race for the Golden Boot is already taking shape. Ranchers Bees striker Mohammed Zulkifilu tops the early scoring charts with four goals, but it’s Doma United’s Sadiq Rilwan who has made the more eye-catching statement — he’s the only player to have scored in every single matchday so far.
Zulkifilu’s NPFL golden boot credentials were established in the most dramatic fashion possible. Making his first start of the season in Matchday 2, the Ranchers Bees forward scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 demolition of Abia Warriors, immediately shooting to the top of the scoring charts. He then added a fourth goal in Matchday 3, netting in the 80th minute of Ranchers Bees’ 3-1 defeat to fellow newcomers Barau FC. That goal wasn’t enough to prevent defeat, but it kept Zulkifilu clear at the top of the golden boot table heading into Matchday 4.
While Zulkifilu leads on raw numbers, Doma United’s Sadiq Rilwan has quietly built the more remarkable record. He opened his account with the winner in a 2-0 victory over Sporting Lagos on Matchday 1, then struck again in a narrow win over Inter Lagos on Matchday 2. In Matchday 3, Rilwan opened the scoring in Doma United’s eye-catching 2-0 win over nine-time champions Enyimba, taking his tally to three goals from three matches — and making him the only player to have found the net in every round so far. As a result, Doma United sit clear at the top of the table with nine points, five goals scored and none conceded.
Perhaps the most unusual name in the early mix is Fabian Nworie. The Kano Pillars centre-back scored twice in a thrilling 3-2 win over Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 2 — his first goals in a top-flight campaign and the first time the former Remo Stars man has scored twice in a single match. Kano Pillars’ Matchday 3 fixture against Shooting Stars was among those affected by CAF-related postponements, so Nworie’s tally has stayed at two heading into the next round.
Matchday 3 also introduced a new name to the scoring charts. Bendel Insurance’s Chinedu Nwosu scored twice in a six-goal thriller against Kun Khalifat, netting in the 47th and 71st minutes to help secure a 4-2 win at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. However, Nwosu’s brace puts him on two goals — level with Nworie, but still some way off Zulkifilu’s pace.
With Doma United set to face Kano Pillars and Ranchers Bees hosting Bendel Insurance in Matchday 4, both Rilwan and Zulkifilu will have fresh chances to extend their tallies. Meanwhile, Nworie and Kano Pillars travel to Gombe knowing a repeat of his Matchday 2 heroics could put the defender firmly into the golden boot conversation. If you’re weighing up anytime-scorer markets around these fixtures, our beginner’s guide to the NPFL is a useful primer on how the league’s promoted sides have started fast this season.
Who is leading the NPFL golden boot race after Matchday 3?
Ranchers Bees striker Mohammed Zulkifilu leads with four goals in two appearances, including a hat-trick on his first start of the season.
Who has scored in every NPFL matchday so far?
Doma United forward Sadiq Rilwan is the only player to have scored in all three matchdays, with three goals in three matches.
Are any other players in contention for the NPFL golden boot?
Kano Pillars centre-back Fabian Nworie and Bendel Insurance’s Chinedu Nwosu are both on two goals after standout individual performances.
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