Kano Pillars centre-back Fabian Nworie has announced himself as one of the surprise names at the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League scoring charts, after netting twice in the club's 3-2 win over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday — the first time the former Remo Stars defender has scored twice in a single professional match and his first goals in a top-flight season.
Nworie finds himself in early-season company that few would have expected. Ranchers Bees striker Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu currently leads the NPFL scoring race after hitting a hat-trick in his side's 4-0 hammering of Abia Warriors at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Monday. It was Zulkifilu's first start of the season, and he finished it with three goals to his name after just two matchweeks.
Before that performance, Doma United forward Sadiq Rilwan had been out in front on his own. Rilwan scored in Doma's 2-0 victory over Sporting Lagos and then added the winner against Inter Lagos — making him the only player so far this season to have found the net in both matchweeks. He remains on two goals alongside Nworie, with Zulkifilu alone at the top on three.
For Pillars fans, seeing a defender chip in with goals is always a bonus, and Nworie's contribution was crucial in securing those three points against Niger Tornadoes. After the heavy 1-4 defeat away to Bayelsa United in March and a 0-3 loss at Ikorodu City in MD34, the team has shown an ability to respond — and a centre-back who contributes at both ends of the pitch adds a dimension that any coach would welcome.
With only two matchweeks played in the new NPFL season, the battle for the Golden Boot is already generating real interest. Zulkifilu, Rilwan, and Nworie are the names setting the early pace — though with Kano Pillars' next fixture coming on September 13 away to Shooting Stars, there will be plenty of opportunities for the charts to shift.