Minutes after the conclusion of games on Matchday 11 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, December 3, thousands of football-loving Nigerians posed the question: “Has any player scored five goals in a single league game in Nigeria?”
Earlier this season, Bayelsa United’s Robert Mizo netted four goals in the opening fixture as the Yenagoa boys secured a 5-2 victory against Akwa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
However, at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, history was made as 17-year-old Kano Pillars winger, Yusuf Abdullahi ‘Tsamage’, etched his name in history by scoring five goals in the team’s 5-2 triumph over Gombe United.
Mesmerised by the feat attained by the youngster, most football fans thought such had never happened in the Nigerian domestic league.
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Fact-checking time! Is this a new record?
Well, Emem Eduok of Dolphin FC scored all six goals against Nembe City, leading to a 6-0 victory in October 2014 in the NPFL. Similarly, Yusuf Abdullahi from Kano Pillars scored all five goals against Gombe United on December 3 in the NPFL23-24 season.
Yusuf might not be the first, but he certainly is the youngest, at 17, to score a hat-trick in the first half of an NPFL game and the youngest ever to score five in a match. America’s Landon Donovan once achieved this same feat but at the age of 18 while playing for the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer (MLS) on August 17, 2003. It is, therefore, interesting that exactly 20 years later, 17-year old Yusuf Abdullahi, has broken that record.
How the goals came for ‘Dan Tsamage’
Abdullahi scored four of his goals in the first half. His first strike and inaugural goal in the NPFL came in the 10th minute, with another added in the 14th minute. Sadiq Shuaibu reignited hope for Gombe United by scoring, narrowing the score to 2-1 before Abdullahi added a third goal in the 33rd minute.
His fourth came just before halftime, completing the rout in the 60th minute to dominate the headlines the following day.
Pre-match criticisms by fans
Last season, Abdullahi was in the ranks of the Junior Kano Pillars team that featured in the Nationwide league (NLO) which is the third tier football league in the country. On week 11 of his maiden season in the top tier league, he is unquestionably the Player of the Week.
However, things have not always been rosy as following the disappointing 0-0 draw on Matchday 10 in Kano against Bendel Insurance, Abdullahi faced criticism from fans for not registering a single shot on goal this season. The next week, he scored 5.
What a way to answer critics!
“No Home, No Away” the young man just wants to keep scoring.
Surely, the boy popularly known in his home state, Kano as ‘Dan Tsamage’ meaning someone who hails from Tsamage in Kano Municipal local government area, has carved his name into the league’s Hall of Fame. His legendary feat during the game prompted this post-match interview statement:
“I cannot describe how happy I am; I am very happy. This victory is for all Kano indigenes. This is my first season and my first goal in the NPFL. I was delighted when I scored the first time, and then I scored four more. I am very happy.”
When asked about how this achievement could help him in his aspirations, Yusuf said, “My greatest desire is to represent my country at any level. I am 17 years old now, but I am hopeful that I could do that someday.”
Regarding the coaching and support received from Kano Pillars Coach Abdullahi Maikaba, Yusuf expressed his gratitude, saying, “I pray to Allah to bless our coach for the opportunity he has given me and the encouragement. I can assure the fans that since we’ve started scoring, we don’t care if it’s home or away. We will always do our best to win.”
Over the years, Kano Pillars has a track record of producing top-class players like Rabiu Baita, Ahmed Garba (Yaro-Yaro), the captain of the Super Eagles Ahmed Musa,and, the legendary Gambo Mohammed who is now an assistant coach of Pillars and of course , Rabiu Ali (Pele), the current club captain, among others. Here’s another name to remember: Yusuf Abdullahi (Dan Tsamage).
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