Nigeria has made football history by becoming the first African nation to produce players who scored hat-tricks in all three UEFA club competitions. From Victor Osimhen’s Champions League excellence to Ademola Lookman’s Europa League mastery and Gift Orban’s record-shattering Conference League performance, Nigerian footballers have cemented the country’s global reputation.
Victor Osimhen’s Champions Landmark
The Super Eagles striker delivered a clinical performance with two penalties and an open-play goal. His hat-trick against Galatasaray marked their first Champions League treble since 2012. Osimhen surpassed Obafemi Martins as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in the competition with 15 goals. He has netted 12 times in his last eight European appearances.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s Pioneering Feat
Yakubu Aiyegbeni became Nigeria’s first UEFA hat-trick scorer on September 24, 2002. His three-goal display powered Maccabi Haifa to a 3-0 victory over Olympiacos. This Champions League achievement set the precedent for future Nigerian stars.
Ademola Lookman’s Final Heroics
Ademola Lookman produced a historic performance in the 2024 Europa League final. His hat-trick ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten streak and secured Atalanta’s first European trophy. Lookman became the first player to score a treble in a Europa League final. His achievement was the first in any one-legged men’s European final since 1969.
Gift Orban’s Record-Shattering Treble
Gift Orban completed Nigeria’s UEFA hat-trick sweep in the Conference League. The Gent striker netted the fastest hat-trick in UEFA history against İstanbul Başakşehir. His three goals came in just three minutes and 25 seconds. This broke records previously held by Mohamed Salah and Patson Daka. Orban later added another hat-trick against Pogoń Szczecin.
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