Chibuzor Ozurumba Laments Decline of Elite Goal Poachers in Nigeria Premier League

Posted : 10 April 2026

Former league top scorer Chibuzor Ozurumba has voiced his concerns regarding the dwindling number of prolific strikers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The former Enyimba International star noted a significant drop in the technical quality and clinical nature of modern forwards compared to previous eras. He attributed this shift to the rapid departure of young talents to foreign leagues and changing recruitment dynamics.

Ozorumba highlighted that the current football landscape allows players to secure overseas moves with minimal domestic exposure. He explained that improved agency structures and scouting networks mean the most creative and clinical attackers leave Nigeria before they can fully mature. This has left domestic coaches with the difficult task of working with average or developing talents who lack the "poacher" instincts of the past.

The statistics from the current 2025/2026 campaign support Ozurumba's assessment of low scoring returns. With only five matches remaining in the season, the race for the Golden Boot remains modest. Leading scorers Godwin Obaje and Joseph Arumala are currently tied at the top of the charts with just 11 goals each. This stands in stark contrast to previous seasons where top scorers frequently crossed the 20-goal mark.

Beyond individual performances, the former striker also discussed the plight of his old club, Enyimba International. The "People’s Elephant" are currently enduring a difficult season and find themselves uncharacteristically near the relegation zone. Ozurumba blamed a drop in recruitment standards for their current struggles; however, he expressed firm belief that the club’s historic structure would ensure their survival and eventual return to glory.

The title race provided a more positive note in Ozurumba's analysis. He praised the tactical consistency shown by Finidi George at Rivers United and Fidelis Ilechukwu at Rangers International. Both teams are currently locked at the top of the NPFL table with 55 points apiece. Ozurumba anticipates a dramatic conclusion to the season, suggesting that the title will be decided by tactical discipline and character in the final five games.

Ultimately, Ozurumba called for a more deliberate approach to player development within Nigeria. He urged coaches to intensify their efforts in refining the finishing skills of the attackers currently in the league. Without a focused effort to nurture the next generation, he fears that the era of the legendary Nigerian goal poacher may remain a thing of the past.

Chibuzor Ozurumba Laments Decline of Elite Goal Poachers in Nigeria Premier League

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