Aaron Samuel Scores Hat - trick In Aaron Samuel 5-Aside Tournament

Nigeria striker Aaron Samuel scored a hat-trick as his team beat Igirita Boys 3-2 in the Aaron Samuel 5-aside tournament in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The 21-year old has organised a 5-aside football tournament involving eight amateur teams, and is being held at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

On the first day of proceedings, the Super Eagles striker showed his worth as he scored two well taken free-kicks to give his side a 2-0 lead going into the half-time break.

The half-time break would however stretch for 42 minutes as torrential rainfall meant the game couldn’t continue as scheduled.

But soon after the rains stopped and the second half began, the Igirita Boys scored two quick goals to level the score at 2-2.

But Aaron Samuel, who plays for Chinese club, Guangzhou R&F proved why he is the only professional in the competition with a well taken shot from center-circle to gift his side the lead, and what eventually proved to be the winner.

Meanwhile, in the other games played on the first day of the tournament, City Boys annihilated Amphibious 5-1, while Aloma boys lost to Mike Boys 4-3. Salas Boys were beaten 3-2 by Coach T boys.

The semi-finals and final hold on Friday, also at the Liberation Stadium.

The winner of the tournament will smile home with N500, 000, 1st runner-up gets N300, 000 while the 2nd runner-up will get N150, 000.

There are also prizes for individual displays, with the Most Valuable Player going home with N50, 000, same amount as the top scorer.