{{short description|Nigerian professional footballer (born 1989)|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Godwin Mensha | image = Godwin Mensha in Persepolis VS Al Jazira Match.jpg | caption = Mensha in 2018 | full_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|9|2|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Lagos]], Nigeria | height = 1.82 m | position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]] | currentclub = | clubnumber = | years1 = 2008–2009 | clubs1 = [[CD Pedroñeras|Pedroñeras]] | caps1 = 18 | goals1 = 6 | years3 = 2010–2011 | clubs3 = [[CD Madridejos|Madridejos]] | caps3 = 31 | goals3 = 20 | years4 = 2011–2012 | clubs4 = [[CF Talavera de la Reina|Talavera de la Reina]] | caps4 = 26 | goals4 = 17 | years5 = 2012–2014 | clubs5 = [[UD Socuéllamos|Socuéllamos]] | caps5 = 71 | goals5 = 41 | years6 = 2014–2015 | clubs6 = [[SD Compostela|Compostela]] | caps6 = 29 | goals6 = 4 | years7 = 2015–2016 | clubs7 = [[Balzan F.C.|Balzan]] | caps7 = 15 | goals7 = 3 | years8 = 2016 | clubs8 = [[Mosta F.C.|Mosta]] | caps8 = 16 | goals8 = 10 | years9 = 2016–2017 | clubs9 = [[Paykan F.C.|Paykan]] | caps9 = 26 | goals9 = 15 | years10 = 2017–2019 | clubs10 = [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | caps10 = 42 | goals10 = 5 | years11 = 2019 | clubs11 = [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] | caps11 = 13 | goals11 = 1 | years12 = 2019 | clubs12 = [[Ajman Club|Ajman]] | caps12 = 1 | goals12 = 0 | years13 = 2020–2021 | clubs13 = [[Gol Gohar Sirjan F.C.|Gol Gohar]] | caps13 = 42 | goals13 = 16 | years14 = 2021–2023 | clubs14 = [[Mes Rafsanjan F.C.|Mes Rafsanjan]] | caps14 = 48 | goals14 = 17 | years15 = 2023–2024 | clubs15 = [[Foolad F.C.|Foolad]] | caps15 = 13 | goals15 = 1 | club-update = 22 February 2024 }}

'''Godwin Mensha''' (born 2 September 1989) is a Nigerian professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[forward (association football)|forward]] for [[Foolad F.C.|Foolad]].

==Club career== ===Malta=== On 30 June 2000, Mensha joined [[Maltese Premier League]] side [[Balzan F.C.|Balzan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=15382|title=Official : Ex Compostela Striker Godwin Mensha Joins Balzan|date=30 June 2015|accessdate=14 February 2019}}</ref> However in the next January, his contract was terminated and he moved to fellow league team [[Mosta F.C.|Mosta]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160114/football/Birkirkara-sign-defender-keen-on-Alex-Muscat.598705|title=Birkirkara sign defender, keen on Alex Muscat|date=14 January 2016|publisher=[[Times of Malta]]|last=Azzopardi|first=Kevin|accessdate=14 February 2019}}</ref>

===Paykan=== On 27 July 2016, Mensha signed for Iranian club [[Paykan F.C.|Paykan]] on a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ikcosport.com/fa-IR/News/Detail/13881.aspx|title=گادوين منشا مهاجم نيجريه اي به تيم فوتبال پيكان پيوست|trans-title= Nigerian striker Godwin Mensha signed with Paykan|date=27 July 2016|accessdate=12 February 2019|publisher=YJC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5711301/گادوین-منشا-امروز-با-پیکان-قرارداد-بست|title=گادوین منشا امروز با پیکان قرارداد بست|trans-title= Godwin Mensha signed with Paykan today|date=27 July 2016|accessdate=12 February 2019|publisher=Paykan F.C.}}</ref> On 7 August, he made his debut in a 3–1 defeat against [[Tractor Sazi F.C.|Tractor Sazi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1347491/تراکتور-3-پیکان-1؛-رقص-لزگی-در-زمین-اختصاصی|title=تراکتور 3- پیکان 1؛ رقص لزگی در زمین اختصاصی|trans-title= Tractor 3 - Paykan 1|date=7 August 2016|accessdate=13 February 2019|publisher=Varzesh3}}</ref> On 20 September, Coming on as a substitute, he scored his first goals for Paykan, a brace in a 3–2 away win over defending champions [[Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C.|Esteghlal Khuzestan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/559351/استقلال-خوزستان-2-3-پیکان؛-رستگاری-با-گل-ثانیه-های-آخر|title=استقلال خوزستان 2 -3 پیکان؛ رستگاری با گل ثانیه های آخر|trans-title=Esteghlal Khuzestan 2 - Paykan 3|date=20 September 2019|accessdate=13 February 2019|publisher=Tarafdari}}</ref> With 15 league goals, Mensha was the third highest scorer in the Premier League for the [[2016–17 Persian Gulf Pro League|2016–17 season]], three goals behind Golden Boot winner [[Mehdi Taremi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1414255/سرخابی%E2%80%8Cها-در-صدر-بهترین%E2%80%8Cهای-لیگ-شانزدهم|title=سرخابی‌ها در صدر بهترین‌های لیگ شانزدهم|trans-title=Red and blues on top of leagues best|date=8 May 2016|accessdate=14 February 2019|publisher=Varzesh3}}</ref>

===Persepolis=== In May 2017, Mensha signed a contract with Pro League champions [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.persianfootball.com/news/2017/04/19/persepolis-reaches-agreement-with-mensha-khalilzadeh/|title=Persepolis Reaches Agreement with Mensha, Khalilzadeh|author=Mir Farhad Ali Khan|publisher=Tasnim News Agency|date=19 April 2017|access-date=10 February 2026}}</ref> Mensha scored his first goal for the club on 3 August 2017, in a 2–1 victory against [[Tractor Sazi F.C.|Tractor Sazi]]. On 22 August 2017, Mensha scored a crucial equalizer in Persepolis' 2–2 draw against [[Al-Ahli Saudi FC|Al Ahli]] in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the [[2017 AFC Champions League]]. He scored his second goal for Persepolis from the penalty spot in an away match against Al Ahli.

Mensha scored seven goals in the [[AFC Champions League]] for Persepolis, making him fourth highest goalscorer for Persepolis in Asian competitions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/97062713651/%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B1%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%88-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C|title=Godvin menshah, the third highest-scoring goalscorer in acl|date=6 September 2018|publisher=Iranian Students' News Agency}}</ref>

===Esteghlal=== [[File:Mensha first game for Esteghlal.jpg|220px|thumb|Mensha in his first game for Esteghlal against [[Paykan F.C.|Paykan]]]] In January 2019, Mensha and Persepolis came to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with the club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Croatian striker Budimir joins Iran's Persepolis |work=Xinhua |date=29 January 2019 |accessdate=3 February 2019 |url= http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/29/c_137782260.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014535/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/29/c_137782260.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 4 February 2019}}</ref> He was then signed by cross-town rivals [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] on an 18-month-long on 5 February 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Persepolis forward Godwin Mensha drops bombshell by moving to Esteghlal |work=Tehran Times |date=5 February 2019 |access-date=5 February 2019 |url= https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/432697/Persepolis-forward-Godwin-Mensha-drops-bombshell-by-moving-to}}</ref> making him the twentieth player to play for both clubs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ilna.ir/بخش-ورزشی-7/724859-گزارش-گادوین-سومین-یاغی-خارجی-استقلال|title= گزارش؛ گادوین سومین یاغی خارجی استقلال |trans-title= Godwin the third foreign rebel of Esteghlal. |date=5 February 2019|access-date=7 February 2019|publisher=[[Iranian Labour News Agency|ILNA]]|language=Persian}}</ref> After signing with the club, Mensha said: "I want to prove that I'm not wrong about joining Esteghlal." He was given the number 90 shirt, just as he was at Persepolis.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ilna.ir/بخش-ورزشی-7/724522-منشا-ثابت-می-کنم-که-اشتباه-نکردم-استقلال-باشگاه-بزرگی-است-شفر-به-من-اعتقاد-دارد|title= منشا: ثابت می‌کنم که اشتباه نکردم / استقلال باشگاه بزرگی است و شفر به من اعتقاد دارد |trans-title= Mensha: I want to prove that I'm not wrong. Schäfer believes in me. |date=5 February 2019|access-date=6 February 2019|publisher=[[Iranian Labour News Agency|ILNA]]|language=Persian}}</ref>

Mensha made his debut for the club on 7 February, in a 4–0 win against [[Paykan F.C.|Paykan]], as a 72nd-minute substitute for [[Dariush Shojaeian]], assisting the third goal by [[Esmaël Gonçalves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1589947/گزارش-بازی-پیکان-استقلال-تهران-لیگ-برتر-18-11-139705-12-96|title=پیکان 0 - استقلال 4؛ آماده باش تیم پرستاره به لیگ|trans-title=Paykan 0 - Esteghlal 4|date=7 February 2019|accessdate=7 February 2019|publisher=Varzesh3}}</ref> On 28 February, in an away match against [[Foolad F.C.|Foolad]], he attacked an opponent fan after the fan pulled his hair while he was entering the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/6849732/رفتار-عجیب-گادوین-منشا-با-یک-هوادار-خوزستانی-فیلم|title=رفتار عجیب گادوین منشا با یک هوادار خوزستانی +فیلم|trans-title=Mensha's strange behaviour with a fan|date=28 February 2019|accessdate=4 March 2019|publisher=YJC}}</ref> During the match, he scored his first goal for his new club as well as providing an assist for the winner in the 3–1 away victory against Foolad. His goal came from [[Farshid Bagheri]]'s pass from behind the halfway line, which he volleyed the ball past the keeper.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/node/1236559|title=فولاد 1-3 استقلال؛ پیروزی 6 امتیازی استقلال با سه تفنگدار خارجی شفر|trans-title=Paykan 0 - Esteghlal 4|date=28 February 2019|accessdate=28 February 2019|publisher=Tarafdari}}</ref> Two days later, he was banned from all domestic football activities until further notice, due to the incident he had before the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/node/1238273|title=مرتضی تورک: گادوین منشا و علیرضا حقیقی از امروز نمی‌توانند هیچ فعالیت فوتبالی انجام دهند|date=2 March 2019|accessdate=4 March 2019|publisher=Tarafdari}}</ref> However, the ban was lifted a few days later after clarifying the incident for [[Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran|the FFIRI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/node/1243216|title=حکم محرومیت کمیته اخلاق در مورد گادوین منشا لغو شد؛ مهاجم آبی‌ها آماده دیدار با نفت مسجد سلیمان|date=7 March 2019|accessdate=15 April 2019|publisher=Tarafdari}}</ref> On 5 May, with the arrival of new coach [[Farhad Majidi]], he was excluded from training with the first-team due to his bad behaviour after he realised he is not a starter in the previous game against [[Padideh F.C.|Padideh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/node/1286355|script-title=fa:مهاجم نیجریه‌ای استقلال تهران در اختیار باشگاه قرار گرفت.|date=5 May 2019|accessdate=20 June 2019|publisher=Tarafdari}}</ref>

===Ajman=== On 11 July 2019, Mensha signed with UAE team [[Ajman Club|Ajman]] on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ajmanc.ae/ar/news/details/عجمان-يكمل-ملف-الأجانب-بالتعاقد-مع-المهاجم-النيجيري-جودوين-مينشا.aspx|script-title=ar:عجمان يكمل ملف الأجانب بالتعاقد مع المهاجم النيجيري جودوين مينشا|trans-title=Ajman completes foreigners' file by signing Nigerian striker Godwin Mensha|date=11 July 2019|accessdate=11 July 2019|publisher=Ajman Club|language=Arabic}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Gol Gohar=== On 29 January 2020, Mensha returned to Iran signing with [[Gol Gohar Sirjan F.C.|Gol Gohar Sirjan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1665139/گادوین-منشا-دوباره-در-فوتبال-ایران-عکس|script-title=fa:گادوین منشا دوباره در فوتبال ایران (عکس)|date=29 January 2020|accessdate=29 January 2020|publisher=Varzesh 3}}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 1 February, coming on as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] for [[Mehrdad Bayrami]] in the 58th minute of a 1–1 draw against [[F.C. Pars Jonoubi Jam|Pars Jonoubi Jam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1665477/گزارش-بازی-پارس-جنوبی-جم-و-گل-گهر-سیرجان-تاریخ-1398-11-11|script-title=fa:پارس جنوبی 1- گل‌گهر 1؛ بی‌فایده‌تر از این نمی‌شد!|date=1 February 2020|accessdate=3 February 2020|publisher=Varzesh 3}}</ref> Six days later he scored his first goal for the club in the 1–1 draw against [[Tractor S.C.|Tractor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/node/1531898|title=گل گهر سیرجان 1-1 تراکتور؛ با سوپرگل اکبر ایمانی، تراکتور ده نفره از شکست گریخت|date=7 February 2020|accessdate=7 February 2020|publisher=Tarafdari}}</ref>

==Honours== [[File:Godwin Mensha In Persepolis Championship Celebration.jpg|thumb|Mensha celebrates championship with [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]].]]

'''Persepolis''' *[[Persian Gulf Pro League]]: [[2017–18 Persian Gulf Pro League|2017–18]] *[[Iranian Super Cup]]: [[2017 Iranian Super Cup|2017]], [[2018 Iranian Super Cup|2018]] *[[AFC Champions League]] runner-up: [[2018 AFC Champions League|2018]]

'''Individual''' * [[AFC Champions League]] Player of the Week: [[2017 AFC Champions League|2017]] semi-finals 2nd leg.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/acl2017-semi-final-2nd-leg-toyota-player-of-the-week-godwin-mensha|title=ACL 2017 Semi-final 2nd leg Toyota Player of the Week: Godwin Mensha|publisher=AFC|date=19 October 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129150609/http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/acl2017-semi-final-2nd-leg-toyota-player-of-the-week-godwin-mensha|archivedate=29 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> *[[Persian Gulf Pro League]] top scorer: [[2021–22 Persian Gulf Pro League|2021–22]]

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons}} * [https://www.msn.com/en-in/sports/football/godwin-mensha/player/sp-id-80302000000216106 Godwin Mensha at MSN Sports] * [http://persianleague.com/index.php/component/joomsport/player/41-persian-gulf-pro-league-ipl-2017-2018/3737-godwin-mensha?Itemid=138 Godwin Mensha at PersianLeague] * {{Soccerway|362767}} * [http://www.eurosport.com/football/godwin-mensha_prs432621/person.shtml Godwin Mensha at EuroSport] * {{ESPN FC|262373<!-- /godwin-mensha -->}}

{{Iran Pro League Top Scorers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mensha, Godwin}} [[Category:1989 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Footballers from Lagos]] [[Category:Nigerian men's footballers]] [[Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:SD Compostela footballers]] [[Category:Balzan F.C. players]] [[Category:Mosta F.C. players]] [[Category:Paykan F.C. players]] [[Category:Persepolis F.C. players]] [[Category:Esteghlal F.C. players]] [[Category:Ajman Club players]] [[Category:Segunda División B players]] [[Category:UD Socuéllamos players]] [[Category:Maltese Premier League players]] [[Category:Persian Gulf Pro League players]] [[Category:UAE Pro League players]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Malta]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iran]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Spain]] [[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Malta]] [[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Iran]] [[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Men's association football forwards]] [[Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen]]