Plateau United striker Albert Hilary has closed the gap in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League Golden Boot race with his ninth goal of the season in their pulsating 3-2 win over Rivers United in a rescheduled match-day 10 game on Wednesday in Jos, PRIMANEWS Sports Extra reports.
Hilary converted a penalty in the 43rd minute to draw his team level after Andy Okpe had put the visitors in front from the spot as well. He also provided the assist – his third of the season – for Yakubu Adams to give Plateau a late win in the frenetic game.
The hosts finished the game with 10 men after Moses Adikwu was sent off for a second offence in the box which also resulted in a second penalty for Rivers United.
His goal in the game takes him one goal behind Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars, who leads the pack with 10 goals as well as former Bayelsa United striker, Robert Mizo, who just joined Libyan club Al Hilal Benghazi.
Hilary has now scored in seven consecutive games following his hat-trick against Bayelsa United in December. The three goals he scored in that 5-1 win took his tally to five for the season and he expressed confidence he could catch up in the race.
“It’s a great privilege to have scored my first hat trick in the NPFL. I’ve scored goals before and even last week but the feeling that comes with a hat-trick is special,” Hilary told PRIMANEWS Sports Extra.
“Everything is by the grace of God and I also want to take my chances. I’m actually working hard to become the highest goal scorer. I know others won’t slow down too.
“Before the start of the season, that was the objective and with five goals already, I feel I can still push it harder than I did in my previous seasons.”
The win over Rivers United takes the Jos side to fifth on the table with 28 points after 17 games and their next match is a home game against Enyimba on Saturday.
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