Razor-sharp striker Charles Atshimene has entered into Akwa United’s history book, becoming the first player to score 19 goals for the club in a single season and also emerged as the joint-top scorer of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League season alongside Nasarawa United’s Silas Nwankwo.
Atshimene scored his 19th goal of the season for the Promise Keepers from the spot in the 34th minute to cancel out Chinonso Okonkwo’s 32nd minute goal before Austin Ogunye sealed the win for Lobi Stars from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time as the Champions suffered their fifth defeat of the season on match-day 38 at the Aper Aku Stadium.
The talisman who netted a hat trick on match-day 37 against MFM in Uyo, equalled Akarandut Orok’s 17 goals record which has stood for eleven years, with his second goal on Sunday before setting a new record with his 18th of the season and added to his tally for the season in Makrudi to bring his total to 19 goals in his first season with the two-time Federation Cup Champions.
The Super Eagles striker who set a 20 goal target at the beginning of the season, managed to hit 19 goals in 27 matches.
Atshimene missed eleven matches due to his involvement in the home based Super Eagles trip to USA for a friendly against Mexico. He also missed some crucial matches due to a minor injury he sustained at the beginning of the season.
The 2020/2021 NPFL season was Atshimene’s second season in Nigeria’s top flight after featuring for Warri Wolves last season in which he scored seven goals.