Nigeria’s Afolabi hits hat-trick, helps Sidama to secure vital win

Sidama Coffee’s Nigerian striker Okiki Afolabi scored an impressive hat-trick as the Coffee Men cruised to a 4-1 victory over Jimma Aba Jifar at the Hawassa University Stadium as the Betting Ethiopia Premier League draws to a close with one round of games left.

Afolabi shot Sidama into an early lead when his flying header crashed in the net beyond the reach of Abubakher Nuri in goal for Jimma. The header was possible thanks to a tantalizing cross from the right by Amanuel Endale.

Afolabi almost doubled his and Sidama’s tally in the 15th minute, receiving a long-range punt by Sunday Mutuku. He beat Nuri but could not convert.

Jimma’s Temesgen Derese had a chance to pull one back but his effort a few minutes later from the right side of the box was off target.

Okiki Afolabi added his second goal in the 36th minute. He controlled a pass just outside the box with his right foot, beat one defender, shook off two more, and finished with his left foot for his sixth goal since the half-season break.

Afolabi’s teammate Dawitt Tafera, on as a substitute, struck from outside the box but Nuri stopped it and in a swift counterattack, Temesgen Derese pulled one back for Jimma Aba Jifar with a looping header in the 70th minute.

However, Afolabi restored the two-goal cushion two minutes later for his hat-trick. Okiki controlled the ball just outside the box, nutmegged two defenders, and bent the ball beyond goalkeeper Nuri to make it 3-1 for Sidama.

The final goal was scored by another second-half substitute Bogale, who lifted the ball over the keeper for the fourth goal after being put through by Tafera Guta, much to the delight of Sidama coach Gebremedhin Haile.

Tobi Sangotola/sportinglife.ng