Chijioke Akuneto scored the Nigeria Professional Football League’s first hat trick of the 2021/2022 season as table-toppers Rivers United continued their onslaught with a 4-1 thrashing of defending champions Akwa United on Sunday evening at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Akuneto became the first player to score three goals in one match this season in the NPFL, and the first player since Charles Atshimene achieved the feat in Akwa United’s title-winning season against MFM FC.
The Pride of Rivers, who were held to a goalless draw at Gombe United last Sunday, took the lead early in the game through Ishaq Kayode’s 11th goal of the season.
Chijioke Akuneto scored his first in the 12th minute and grabbed the second in the 29th minute before completing his hat trick just before the break as the host ran riot on the defending champions.
Second half substitute Austin Osayande pulled one back for the Promise Keepers with a powerful strike in the 60th minute.
Akuneto has nine goals this season in the NPFL.
Rivers United ended the first stanza of the season as table toppers with 42 points from 19 games while Akwa United sits in sixth on 27 points.
Plateau United 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Second-placed Plateau United made it an outstanding 11-game unbeaten streak after they beat Sunshine Stars 2-0 at the New Jos Stadium.
Fidelis IIechukwu’s side have been impressive at home all season, winning all 10 matches at home before the mid-season break.
Mohammed Zulkilfulu gave the Peace Boys the lead in the 22nd minute before Haggai Kattoh doubled their lead with a well taken freekick in the 68th minute.
The win took Plateau United’s points tally to 41, just a point behind leaders Rivers United.
In the other matches played across different centres, Kano Pillars bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Gombe United. Ifeanyi Ogba’s first-half brace and Rabiu Ali’s late strike earned the Sai Masu Gida all three points over their northern rivals.
Ifeanyi Eze scored from close range in the 12th minute to give Kano Pillars the lead and added his second goal in the 38th minute, while Yusuf Abdulazeez pulled one back for Gombe United on the stroke of half time.
Pillars defended well in the second half to keep their advantage before Rabiu Ali volleyed home to make it 3-1.
In Ikenne, Gbanga Ogunbote’s Remo Stars had cause to smile again at home as they brushed off Kwara United with a 3-0 victory.
Second half goals from Andy Okpe, Tolulope Ojo and Seun Ogunrinde secured all three points for the hosts.
Enyimba International grabbed a point on the road after the Peoples’ Elephant held Wikki Tourists to a goalless draw in Bauchi.
In the last game of the day, a 15th minute strike from Aniete Uko helped secure Shooting Stars a 1-0 victory over Nasarawa United in Ibadan.
NPFL Matchday 19 Results
Heartland FC 0-0 MFM FC
Abia Warriors 2-2 Katsina United
Kano Pillars 3-1 Gombe United
Remo Stars 3-0 Kwara United
Rivers United 4-1 Akwa United
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