Folarin Balogun: Nigeria-eligible striker topples Mbappe with hat trick against Lorient

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian born striker, Folarin Balogun is not slowing down in his incredible form in the French Ligue 1 as he scored hat trick on Wednesday night to help Reims recorded a 4-2 comeback win over FC Lorient.

The 21-year-old striker who is on loan from Arsenal has taken his season’s tally to 14 thereby overtaking France forward, Kylian Mbappe (13) on the top scorer log.

The victory has also extended Reims’ unbeaten streak to 13 games under their new manager Will Still.

Enzo Le Fée opened the scoring for the visitors in the 11th minute talikb advantage of a gaffe by Reims’ keeper, Yehvann Diouf.

Lorient who have just sold their Nigerian top scorer, Terem Moffi to Nice on transfer deadline day made it 2-0 through Ibrahima Koné in the 36th minute as he fired home from a tight angle.

Just as the game was heading to end of first half and in charge of Lorient, Balogun reduced the deficit for the hosts.

The youngster was employed to take the spot kick after his striker partner, Dion Lopy was upended inside the area and he expertly slotted it down the middle of Mannone’s goal, netting his 10th successful conversion from 13 all-time career penalties.

Reims came out with more vigor and purpose in the second-half, and equalised through Kamory Doumbia with just six minutes of restart.

Balogun netted his brace of the match as he superbly latched onto Junya Ito’s lofted pass.

The rave of the moment is not done yet as he would then complete his hat-trick just after the hour mark, unleashing a left-footed effort from the inside of the area into the bottom right-hand corner to seal a 4-2 victory for Reims.

The Nigerian eligible forward who is still holding a believe to make a telling career at his parent club, Arsenal is leading Reims closer to European spot as they sit 11th on the log with 29 points from 21 games.