Godwin Mensha: Nigerian journeyman finally finds solace in Rafsanjan

The Persian Gulf Pro League is living to expectation this season. Esteghlal FC is on track for their eighth title, which could potentially end the dominance of Tehran's co-inhabitants, Persepolis. However, a certain Nigerian has surprised the odds.

His name, Godwin Mensha. Mensha currently leads the goalscoring log with 12 strikes after 24 rounds of matches. Should he maintain this rich vein of form, he could finish the season as the top marksman in Iran. But the 31-year-old hasn’t had it this good all his career. 

A nomad of some sort, Mensha has scrapped the barrels since leaving his homeland in 2008. Born in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, the forward has toiled in obscurity around the world. His path to the top has been challenging. 

Starting at CD Pedroñeras in Spain’s third tier, Mensha managed six goals in 18 appearances, which was unimpressive with the standards known by users of https://www.stellarspins.com/en/. After just one year there, he moved to Madridejos, another relatively unknown side in the country. Spells at three other small clubs followed between 2011 and 2105. He averaged just a little over a year in each of those teams. 

Finally, Mensha got an opportunity to play in an elite division. The Nigerian landed in Malta to ply his trade at Balzan. Yet again, he spent just one season there before moving on to rivals Mosta. The yearly trend continued as the 31-year-old jumped again abroad. 

Mensha joined Paykan in Iran. And after just one year, racking 15 efforts in 27 matches, serial league winners Persepolis came knocking. A return of five goals in over 40 games was deemed insufficient for such an ambitious club. The Nigerian would then join Esteghlal.

But his stock crashed further there. The forward didn't produce sufficient strikes, conjuring just one in 11 games. He got a fresh start in the UAE with Ajman but he could only feature once. 

Mensha returned to Iran to join Gol Gohar in 2020. The deal was a masterstroke. The Nigerian proved his quality with an impressive 16 goals in 43 matches. His fine streak attracted Mes Rafsanjan.

In around 14 years, Mensha has changed clubs 13 times across four countries in two continents. Although he has shown glimpses of his quality, the Nigerian has never quite settled down at any home ground. Rafsanjan could be different. 

The 31-year-old is enjoying his football again, banging goals at free will. He has buried over one-third of his side’s goals, evidence of his manager’s faith and support by the faithful. 

Currently placed fifth, Rafsanjan is already out of the contest for the title. However, the modest side are on track to better their last season’s placement thanks to their Nigerian import.