Rivers United forward Chijioke Akuneto netted three goals as Rivers United thrashed Akwa United 4-1 in NPFL match day 19 encounter on Sunday.
It was the first hat-trick of the 2021-2022 Nigeria Professional Football League Campaign.
Akuneto also became the first player to score hat-trick in the NPFL since Charles Atshimene (Akwa United) on MD 37 of last season against MFM FC in Uyo.
Chijioke Akuneto grabbed all the goals in the first half . The first came in the 12th minute, and added the second in 28th minutes.
He then completed his hat-trick two minutes before half time break . shaq Rafiu got the other goal for Rivers United in the 7th minute from penalty spot .
Austin Osayande got Akwa United’s consolation goal in the 60th minute of the encounter.
Rivers United are now unbeaten in the last nine games and they head into the  second stanza of the league 42 points from 19 games.