Do You Know Ekoku Is The First Nigerian Scorer And First Treble In English Top-Flight

 

On the back of impressive performances with Bournemouth – where he scored 11 goals in 28 league games in 1991-92, Efan Ekoku made a £500,000 move to Norwich City on 26 March 1993.

Nonetheless, his maiden goal in the Premier League came in the Canaries’ 5-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on April 9, 1993.

A brace from Teddy Sheringham and strikes from Paul Allen, Nayim and Neil Ruddock had put Spurs five goals ahead at White Hart Lane.

However, the Nigerian striker got one back for Mike Walker’s team after profiting from poor defending by the hosts.

Ekoku’s first treble in the top-flight

On September 25, 1993, Efan Ekoku became the first African and Nigerian to score a hat-trick in the Premier League.

The Nigerian striker was on song thrice as Norwich City saw off Everton 5-1 at Goodison Park.

Thanks to that feat, he also became the 18th player to bag a treble in the history of the top-flight.

Since Ekoku’s historic feat, four Nigerians namely: Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie and Kelechi Iheanacho have netted a treble in the elite division.