Robert Christian Mizo was the cynosure of all eyes on Saturday at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Ovom, Yenagoa as the new NPFL season commenced with a bang for the lanky forward who immediately registered a hattrick for his team, Bayelsa United on the first day of the new season, in an eight-goal thriller.
Former NPFL champions, Akwa United happened to be the opponents for Bayelsa United on the day Robert Mizo starred for his team. Though the game ended 5-3 in favour of the home team, Mizo stole the shine with his beautiful goals.
Mizo twice equalised for his team and scored to put his team in front, ultimately sealing three points for them.
His first goal came in the 45th minute of the thrilling clash to put his team level and ensure they were very much in the game at halftime. The first half ended 2-2.
Hadi Mohammed of Akwa United scored the first goal of the game in the 20th minute, while Jerry Alex of the home team levelled the terms in the 27th minute. Akwa United were back in front in the 38th minute courtesy of a goal from Seyi Oguntayo. Mizo however responded in the 45th minute before halftime.
The second half wasn’t short of the rain of goals as Seyi Oguntayo registered a second goal to put the former champions ahead again in the game at the 75th mark.
With Seyi’s goal coming just 15 minutes to the end of the game, the home team fans and supporters had almost lost hope completely, before their hit man, resumed his goalscoring. Mizo equalised for the second time of the game in the 81st minute of the game and then put his team ahead 6 minutes later to throw fans into wild jubilation.
Emmanuel Gomez ultimately put the game far from reach for Akwa United when he netted for the home team in the 90+3rd minute of the game.
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