Udoh’s hat-trick shoots Enyimba close to group stage

He is back. Mfon Udoh, who scored goals with reckless abandon in 2014 to emerge the highest goal scorer in Nigerian league history, was at his devastating best yesterday in Port Harcourt, where he netted three times to take Enyimba closer to the group stage of the CAF Champions League, where they last featured in 2011.

Their opponents, Etoile du Sahel, were expected to be a daunting opposition, but Udoh made the hard nut look so simple by the ease with which he found the back of the Tunisians’ net

The former Akwa United star opened his goals account in the ninth minute when he converted from the spot. He doubled the tally in the 55th minute, which also meant his sixth goal of the competition, when he tapped in from close range off a long-range drive by Dare Ojo.

Earlier in the 50th minute, Enyimba were made to gird their loins tighter after surviving a scare from Alaya Brigui, whose strike was cleared off the line by Ifeanyi Anaemena.

Thereafter, the Peoples Elephant, in a bid to make the return leg in Sousse less tasking, again pilled on the pressure on the Tunisian giants.

The task became lighter in the 71st minute when Etoile were reduced to 10-men as defender, Ghazi Abderrazak, was sent off following a second booking.

Udoh wrapped up the scores in the 80th minute when he blasted in a right footer just before the rains came tumbling down.

Udoh’s hat-trick makes him the leading scorer in the CAF Champions League with seven goals.

The second-leg game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19 in Sousse.