MFON UDOH, TOP SCORER NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE 2014 –Set A New All Time Record

Mfon Udoh, Enyimba FC prolific striker, scored 23 goals in the just concluded 2014 season and set a new record as Nigeria Premier League highest goal scorer of all time.

The record which was first set by Ishaya Jatau of Iwuanayawu Nationale, when he scored 17 goals in the prime edition of the league in 1990. It took another 20 years beforeAhmed Musa of Kano Pillars then finally broke the jinx with 18 goals in the 2009/10 season.

Just a year after, in 2010/11 season, Jude Aneke of Kaduna United raised the bar again and took the record to 20 goals. Then Udoh came on the scene this season to yet again set aside the old record by scoring 3 more goals.

Interestingly, the race for the highest goal scorer this season was between Udoh and former compatriot, Emem Eduok, both were former players of Akwa United. Eduok now plays with Dolphins where he scored 20 goals and was adjoined in many quarters as the best player in the league this season.

Well, most football observers have criticized strikers in the Premier league as inconsistent. Thehighest goal scorer mostly turn out to be ‘one season hotshot.’ Perhaps, only Abubakar Babale of sunshine Stars emerged the 2007/08 top scorer with 14 goals and wer in contention for the top scorer in 2009 season. This is the reason most top scorers from the premier league find it difficult to break into Super Eagles team immediately.

But Udoh is a rare breed of a striker and if he remains in the shores of Nigeria, I’m sure he will always show up in contention for the top scorer especially, as he plays for a team like Enyimba. You may not know, but Udoh have been the highest goal scorer for Akwa united for two seasons before he got transaferred to Enyimba.

Something about Udoh’s tenacity and vision for goals. He scores from rare spaces and what you might call impossible angles. He can asert himself upon defenders and put them in constant tension all through the game. All he needed is one little slip or wrong positioning by the defenders to wreak havoc on the opponent.

Udoh will once again cherish his combination with Eduok as many people are beginning to rumor that Emem Eduok may be heading to Enyimba, to beef up the team for next season’s CAF Champions league.