Afeez scored two goals either side of the break with substitute Santosh Shrestha pulling one back for APF in the 83rd minute. The win takes Sankata to fourth place in the league standings with 16 points and boosts their chances of finishing in the Top Six. APF meanwhile, remain in third with 17 points, six points adrift of leaders Manang Marshyangdi Club.

Afeez, who posed a constant threat to the APF backline, opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he cleverly dribbled past the advancing APF goalkeeper Amrit Chaudhary and guided the ball into the open net.

The forward double the lead when he intercepted defender Sudeep Sikhrakar’s back pass and drilled a powerful shot past Chaudhary from the edge of the area two minutes later.

“His (Afeez) pace and strength troubled their two central defenders throughout the game,” said Sankata coach Raju Kaji Shakya in praise of his forward. The impressive forward completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute, the first of this season.

Afeez continued to add to the APF misery as he netted his fourth goal in the 74th minute. The Nigerian powered past defender Kovit Karki and drilled a left footed strike past Chaudhary to make the score 4-0.

Substitute Santosh pulled back one for APF, pouncing on Bista’s through ball and slotting it past Sankata goalie Pierre Harve at the near post. “Our overall play was brilliant. Midfielders provided good support to Afeez. This win definitely boosts our chances of finishing in Top Six,” said Shakya. APF coach Krishna Thapa was disappointment with his team’s performance and said that his players needed improvement if they are to remain in the Top Six.

Earlier, Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club (YHSC) thumped Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) 4-1 to climb to seventh in the standings. An own goal from Noor Raj Kafle gifted Sherpas the ninth minute lead but captain Pradeep Maharjan’s indirect kick from inside the area levelled the scores in the 41st minute. JYC earned the indirect kick when goalie Sagar Gurung gathered a back pass from defender Palsang Lama.

Sherpas regained the lead through a brilliant freekick from Segun Akinade Eyitayo in the 50th minute. Eyitayo then struck a stunning 30-yard goal to make it 3-1 in the 63rd minute. JYC’s rout was complete when custodian Bikesh Kuthu spilled a Heman Gurung freekick inside the area allowing Laxman Ruchal to slot home in an unattended post in the 76th minute.

The result meant the Himalayan Sherpa move to seventh with 15 points from 10 games while JYC remain 11th with 10 points from 11 games, six clear of the relegation zone. Had the JYC took a point from the match, Boys Union Club and Ranipokhari Corner Team, who both have four points each, would have been relegated.