Osimhen, Iheanacho, Kanu and Finidi George are part of some of the Nigerian players to have scored hat-tricks in Europe.
With Osimhen recent hat-trick against Sassuolo, it got us at GOLDENPAGE MAGAZINE thinking, who are the Nigerian players that have managed to score a hat trick in any European competition?
So, below is the list of some players who have scored hat-tricks across Europe:
Victor Agali (OGC Nice) vs Monaco:
The first name on the list is an old but not forgotten striker for Super Eagles, Victor Agali.
Agali’s time in the French Ligue 1 was largely underwhelming as he only managed six goals across two seasons for both OGC Nice and Marseille.
However three of his six goals came in a single game during a 4-3 win over Monaco in 2004.
John Utaka (Rennes) vs Lens and Lyon:
For anyone who has been watching the Super Eagles as far back as 2003 this name would not be unfamiliar to you.
Utaka, who is a former Portsmouth player, scored his first hat-trick against Lens on February 18, 2006, before repeating the same feat against Lyon a week later.
Osaze Odemwingie (Lille) vs Lens:
Victor Osimhen was not the first Nigerian tearing it up for Lille as before him Osaze Odemwingie was able to make his mark in the league as he scored 23 times in 75 league appearances which included a hat-trick against Lens in a 4-0 bashing in 2006.
Related Posts
- Osimhen Etches Name into History Alongside Maradona
- EFCC Seeks to Arrest Tuoyo Omatsuli, Ex-NDDC Boss
Also, Odemwingie was able to also replicate this feat in the English premier league when he scored a hat trick against Wolverhampton wanderers when the Black county rivals West Bromwich Albion won 5-1.
Terem Moffi’s Lorient vs Bordeaux:
Moffi was able to announce himself to the French Ligue 1 with a hat-trick against Bordeaux in 2021.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni:
This is a name many Nigerians don’t like to see as the horrible miss against South Korea in the 2010 world cup comes into memory. However, he is the first Nigerian to have score a hat trick in the UEFA champions league.
The ex-Nigerian international bagged a lot of hat-tricks in his career, but one stands out as the most special. That was on his three goals against Olympiakos back in 2002, when he was just 19 years old.
He also holds the record for the most hat-tricks scored by an African in the premier league which is four.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Senior Man Kelz):
Iheanacho scored his hat-trick for the former league champions Leicester City against Sheffield United in Leicester City 5-0 thrashing of United.
Efan Ekoku:
For those not familiar with the name Ekoku was the first Nigerian to score in the premier league and he scored four goal in a 5-1 victory for Wimbledon against Everton.
Nwankwo Kanu:
If you are not familiar with this name, we can safely take your citizenship because you are not Nigerian. Kanu during his time with Arsenal was responsible for Africa’s greatest hat-trick in the top flight, having scored three in the space of an astonishing 15 minutes against Chelsea during the 1999-2000 season.
In that match, he transformed a 2-0 lead for the Blues into a 3-2 victory for Arsenal, and it remains one of best of his club career.
Victor Osimhen:
The current CAF men’s player of the year was able to show his class with his second hat-trick against Sassuolo just last week.
Other players to have scored top flight European hat-tricks include:
Finidi George: The now renowned NPFL manager was once turning it up on the pitch for Real Betis. It was there he scored his hat-trick against Tenerife as the club hosted Tenerife in December, 1997.
Kalu Uche also did it but this time for Spanish side Espanyol against Rayo Vallecano in March, 2012.
Also, Ikechukwu Uche ( Kalu’s brother) replicated his brother’s achievement for Villarreal in January, 2014 against Rayo Vallecano.
