CAF celebrate 'Kolanut Boy', the only Nigerian to score an African Nations Championship hat-trick

As the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicks off across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has paid tribute to Nigeria’s Chisom Chikatara, hailing him as one of the few players to have left an indelible mark on the tournament.

In a feature published on CAF Online titled ‘From Singuluma to El Kaabi: Can CHAN 2024 unleash the next hat-trick hero?’, Chikatara was spotlighted for his unforgettable performance at the 2016 edition in Rwanda. 

Dubbed the ‘Kolanut Boy’ for his roots in Abia State, Chikatara came off the bench to score a sensational second-half hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Niger—earning him instant stardom.

CAF described his display as dazzling, noting that despite Nigeria's failure to reach the latter stages of the tournament, Chikatara’s performance “sent Nigerian fans into a frenzy.” 

His hat-trick joined a short but elite list in CHAN history, placing him alongside Zambia’s Given Singuluma (2009) and Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi (2018) as the only players to have scored three goals in a single CHAN match.

Speaking after his hat-trick against Niger, Chikatara told allnigeiasoccer.com: "Yes, I was given the match ball in the dressing room as the referee earlier said.

"Before I entered, the coach told me to go in and do what you know how to do best.

"I am dedicating the goals to so many people that have given me courage: my late mum, my daddy, family and wife to be, then the coaches and my teammates here.

"I wasn’t really desperate to score a hat-trick. What the team needs from strikers is goals just as the church needs songs from the choir." 

CAF also highlighted the lasting impact of such performances, citing how Chikatara’s heroics attracted interest from clubs across Africa and beyond. 

El Kaabi, in particular, went on to become the tournament’s all-time top scorer and earned a move to Europe after CHAN 2018.

With home-based talents from 19 nations preparing to shine, all eyes will be on the next potential hat-trick hero—and perhaps the next Chikatara. CHAN 2024 officially kicks off this weekend.

Wale Adejumo

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