Akwa United of Uyo striker, Mfon Udoh hit home his sixth goal of the season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), and set many tongues wagging over his chances of becoming the first player in modern time to win the highest goals scorers’ prize twice.
Footballlive.ng reports that the forecast on who wins the NPFL highest goals scorer’s award reached feverish point on Wednesday, when Udoh struck against FC Ifeanyiubah of Nnewi during a week ten fixture played at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Indeed, the 27-year-old former Enyimba of Aba star, who set a record of 23 goals in one season back in 2014, is also the first to score twice in away matches so far this term in the NPFL, after netting against Yobe Dessert Stars of Damaturu and Abia Warriors of Umuahia.
Udoh, whose first professional deal was with Calabar Rovers in 2011, is also the first player to score over 35 goals in two consecutive Nigerian league seasons.
He scored eight goals in his first season for Rovers, finishing as their top marksman in all competitions, but transferred to Akwa United in 2012.
Between 2012 and 2014, he scored 39 league goals and three in the FA Cup, for a total of 41 in two seasons.
On March 31, 2013 he scored his first goal at the top level of Nigerian league football, and earned a transfer to Enyimba of Aba at the end of the season.
That year, he broke the league’s previous top netting record by scoring 23 goals as Enyimba finished second on the table, and remains the only player to score more than 20 goals in a single Nigerian domestic season.
In November 2014 he was invited for a home-based Eagles’ friendly with Ghana, and got his national team debut as a 45th-minute substitute.
Mfon, who is a product of Calabar-based Diamond Stars Academy, was also highest scorer in the 2016 CAF Champions League with nine goals, all in the group stage of the competition.
His feat in the continental competition led to his nomination for the CAF African Home-based Footballer of The Year at the end of 2016.
Following the departure of Chinedu Udoji to Kano Pillars in December 2016, Udoh was named Enyimba captain but, on September 14, 2018, he announced his departure after falling out with the Aba-based club.
Tongues are now wagging over the return of ‘The Lethal Weapon,’ with observers noting that his decision to quit Enyimba and back to his first club in the league is paying off.
The Uyo club’s media department celebrated his latest goal with aplomb on social media.
The Promise Keepers wrote with glee: “Goal! Mfon Udoh calmly controls Ubong Friday’s cross and shakes off three defenders before scoring spectacularly. His 6th goal of the season. Akwa Utd 1-0 IfeanyiUbah.”
