Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho has given coach Germot Rohr a very good reason why he should be in the Super Eagles starting XI ahead of their 2021 AFCON Qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho later this month.
Iheanacho has been in an amazing run of form lately as he joins the elite league of Nigerian players who have scored a hat trick in the history of the Premier League.
While Jamie Vardy is currently struggling for goals, the Englishman was instrumental to Iheanacho’s first career hat trick against Sheffield United today as he provided the Nigerian with two assists.
Iheanacho has now joined the likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Efan Ekoku, Peter Odemwingie and the legendary Kanu Nwankwo who were the only Nigerians to have scored at least one hat trick before today.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (4)
- First hat trick; May 2004 in Portsmouth’s 5-1 victory over Middlesbrough. He scored four goals in the match
- Second hat trick; August 2004 in Portsmouth’s 4-3 over Fulham
- Third hat trick; December 8 in Everton’s 3 nil win over Fulham.
- Last hat trick: December 11 in Blackburn’s 4-2 win over Swansea
Efan Ekoku
- 25th September 1993 in Norwich’s 5-1 victory over Everton away from home. He also scored four goals.
Kanu Nwankwo
- August 2004 in Arsenal’s famous 4-3 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Osaze Odemwingie
- February 2012 in Westbrom’s 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Iheanacho says he dedicates his hat trick to all Nigerian mothers as he joins the elite club of Nigerians to have bagged a hat trick in the Premier League.
