Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf scores first NPFL hat-trick in seven-goal thriller

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

In a rare match, El-Kanemi Warriors edged Nasarawa United 4-3 in Lafia with Anas Yusuf scoring the first hat-trick of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

Fans at Lafia City Stadium were not short of goals in the thrilling encounter on Saturday.

The Nasarawa United player scored two goals in the first half to put his side two goal ahead before a brace from Nasiru Salihu made the scoreline to be 2-2.

His first goal came from the penalty spot in the 14th minute before doubling the advantage six minutes later.

Umar Al Amin gave El-Kanemi Warriors the lead for the first time in the 35th minute before Yusuf scored his hat-trick in the 67th minute.

The hat-trick could not prevent Nasarawa United from a loss as Bright Etaghara scored the winning goal for the visitors in the 89th minute from the penalty spot.

Nasarawa United remained in the 12th position with two points after three games while El-Kanemi Warriors moved to the fourth place with four points from two games.