Nigeria forward, Uchenna Kanu delivered a thunderous reminder of her quality on Saturday night, firing a sensational hat-trick as Cruz Azul Femenil edged Atlas Femenil 6–4 in a breathtaking Liga MX Femenil fixture.
The 28-year-old Super Falcons striker, making her first start since the Round 4 clash against Monterrey, announced her arrival by opening her goal account for Cruz Azul following her move from Racing Louisville FC.
Uchenna Kanu Back in the XI With a Bang
After featuring from the bench in recent outings, Kanu wasted no time in justifying her recall to the starting line-up, producing a ruthless and composed display in the Liga MX Femenil fixture.
Her opener arrived in the 27th minute, as she calmly controlled a cross inside the box, evaded her marker and finished with authority.
She doubled her tally in the 55th minute, curling a superb effort beyond the reach of the goalkeeper, before completing her hat-trick just six minutes later, tapping home from close range to cap a devastating personal performance.
Cruz Azul Femenil vs Atlas Femenil Ten-Goal Thriller Explained
Cruz Azul had raced into an early advantage, with Ana Lucía Martínez opening the scoring in the 7th minute, before María Montaño added a second in the 23rd minute.
Atlas, however, refused to fold.
Renata Huerta struck in the 33rd minute, Sanjuana Muñoz followed two minutes later, and Huerta completed her brace in the 65th minute.
When Brenda Cerén converted a penalty in the 70th minute to make it 5–4, the contest threatened to swing dramatically.
Relief finally came for Cruz Azul in the 73rd minute, when Aerial Chavarin scored the sixth goal to seal a pulsating victory.
Kanu’s performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
The result marked Cruz Azul’s first win after two defeats and a draw in their previous three matches and their fourth victory of the campaign, lifting the club to eighth place on 15 points.
They will now look to build momentum when they face Club Necaxa Femenil on Thursday, 12 March.
Uchenna Kanu Excluded From Cameroon Friendly Invitation
Uxhenna Kanu was left out of the latest Super Falcons squad named by head coach, Justine Madugu for Nigeria’s double-header friendly against Cameroon as part of preparations for WAFCON 2026.
Earlier last year, the forward made it clear she is far from done with the Super Falcons, insisting her hunger and ambition remain undiminished.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Brila.net, Kanu said:
“I think at this point in my career, scoring 20 goals, I still have more to give.”
“That’s if I’m given the chance and my goal is to stay fit, stay healthy.”
She added:
“I want to win with the team more. I want to score more goals.”
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Addressing rumours surrounding her fitness during the last WAFCON campaign, the striker remained focused on what she can control:
“So like there’s a rumor that I wasn’t fit or healthy to travel. Maybe I should, you know, stay fit. I guess I can’t control that.”
“I can only control what I can control.”
“So my goal is to be back on the team to at least get back with my girls because I miss them a lot.”
