Kalu’s hat-trick lifts Espanyol over Rayo

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi recalled Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Sani Keita to the national team for the 2013 Nations Cup first leg match against Rwanda on February 29 in Kigali but left out Kalu Uche, who recently moved back to the Spanish La Liga, after joining Espanyol.

But the manager may have a rethink for the second leg and other Eagles ties with Uche scoring a stunning hat-trick to help Espanyol beat Rayo Valecano 5-1 on Sunday (yesterday).

With Samson Siasia as coach of the Eagles between November 4, 2010 and October 28, 2011, Uche was a constant figure in the Eagles line-up, sometimes being used as a point man.

After six seasons with Almeria in Spain, he moved to Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax but left due to financial crisis that hit the club to join Espanyol.

Yesterday’s win was Espanyol’s first in six games and Uche’s fourth strike for the club. His first goal for the club was in a 2-1 loss to Levante on February 25, but Sundays goals earned the club maximum points and a place in the first half of the table.