The Algerian striker is the most recent African player to score a hat-trick in the English Premier League. Mahrez’s three strikes for Leicester City came against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium at the beginning of December 2015 made the 24-year-old the first Algerian to score a hat-trick in the EPL. The striker’s hat-trick was the 288th in the 23-year history of the Premier League, while he was the 156th player to score a hat-trick in the country’s top flight.
The Ivorian striker is a legend at former club Chelsea, and his three hat-tricks at the club are proof of his abilities. He scored his first treble in November 2006 against Watford in a 4-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge. In 2010 Drogba was at it again with a second half hat-trick against Wigan in a 8-0 victory to end off the season, while later in 2010 he would score his third treble of goals as the Blues beat West Brom 6-0.
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o became only the fourth player to score a hat-trick against Manchester United in the Premier League era in January 2014, helping his side to a famous 3-1 victory over the Reds. A deflected strike and two tap-ins ensured his place in the history books as an African striker with numerous titles and impressive stats under his belt.
Kanu scored only one hat-trick for Arsenal during his time in the Premier League, but it was a phenomenally memorable treble, as it came against London rivals Chelsea. This victory over the Blues in 1999 was even more impressive because it was away at Stamford Bridge, with one goal in particular standing out when the Nigerian dribbled past a few defenders on the touchline before finishing past the keeper from a crazy angle.
The record-holder in this regard with four hat-tricks to his name, Nigerian Yakubu Aiyegbeni stands alone as the African who has scored the most EPL trebles. His first was achieved in May 2004 for Portsmouth against Middlesbrough in a 5-1 win where he scored four goals, before his second the following season as Portsmouth beat Fulham 4-3. Three years later and Fulham were once again the victims, as Everton saw their Nigerian striker score three in a 3-0 win. His final hat-trick was a four-goal haul for Blackburn Rovers in a 4-2 victory over Swansea City in December 2011.
Senegalese attacker Sadio Mane has only scored one treble in the EPL, but it was a record breaking feat as the fastest ever hat-trick in English Premier League history. The striker scored three for Southampton in their 6-1 demolition of Aston Villa in May 2015, putting three past Villa keeper Shay Given in two minutes and 54 seconds, officially breaking the record previously held by Robbie Fowler.
Few players can boast having scored three hat-tricks in the English top flight, but Emmanuel Adebayor is one of them, with all three coming for Arsenal during his time at the North Londoners. The Togo striker scored his first hat-trick against Derby in September 2007 during a 5-0 victory, before repeating that feat against Derby in a 6-2 win later that season. The next campaign saw his third EPL trio of goals for the Gunners against Blackburn in a 4-0 win.
The Senegalese striker has represented Chelsea, Newcastle United and West Ham United in the EPL, but it was at the Magpies that he shone brightest with two hat-tricks in two consecutive months during 2011, first against Blackburn Rovers and then Stoke City, allowing his team to win 3-1 in both of those matches.
