Segun Alebiosu scored a wonderful hat trick as Kwara United thrashed Abia Warriors 5-1 in an Aiteo Cup Group C round of 16 encounter at the Agege stadium, Lagos state.
The first of his goals was scored in the first half before he added two more in the second half to wrap a wonderful performance for him and his side.
The game between Kwara United and Abia Warriors was the second of the day, after Kano Pillars and Rivers United played out a five-goal thriller.
It was a game that started slowly before Kwara United took a 1-0 lead through a Wakili Musa penalty.
Things went from bad to worse for Warriors as they were reduced to ten men after their goalkeeper stopped a Kwara United goal bound move with his hands and was subsequently sent off.
Alebiosu stepped up to brilliantly convert the resultant free kick from the edge of the Warriors box to double the lead for the Harmony Warriors just before the half hour mark.
Samsudeen Ashimu put the game beyond Abia when he added a third for Kwara United who would go into the break with a comfortable 3-0 advantage.
Amos Okoro came of the bench to pull one back for Warriors, who looked rejuvenated after the break.
And just when things appeared to be going well for the Abia side, they received another red card, this time it was talisman, Ndifreke Effiong, who was given his marching orders.
Capitalising on their numerical advantage, Abubakar Bala’s men added two further goals, in the last five minutes through that man, Alebiosu, to complete a convincing win.
Up next for both sides, Abia Warriors take on Kano Pillars, while Kwara battle Rivers United.
