Jordan Mintah Earns Praise for Surprising Hat-trick Jordan Mintah overcame a serious bout of dehydration en route to his three-goal explosion against JPV Marikina.

Jordan Mintah’s hat-trick against JPV Marikina took his total to six goals in six games in 2018. And although the Ghanaian forward was last season’s top scorer (18) at the club, and a proven finisher in the Philippines Football League, the three-goal haul came as quite the shock for Kaya FC–Iloilo’s coaching staff.

“We’re very happy for Jordan because we weren’t expecting him to start the game. He’s been sick since when we were in Iloilo. He was dehydrated and went to the hospital in Iloilo,” explained head coach Noel Marcaida. “In training yesterday, we were observing him. He was really sick.”

But not only did Mintah prove he was fit to start come game day, he played the full 90 minutes in Biñan, while getting his first hat-trick of the season. 

“Jordan is Jordan. His presence really means a lot for us on the pitch. Jordan always makes sure that he will give that effort for Kaya, and all that hard work really paid off. He’s got his hat-trick, his first hat-trick for the season. For sure he’s looking forward to the next one,” said Marcaida.”

To which Jordan responded, “For sure.”

While Mintah was the focus of most of the attention after the game, he took time to acknowledge his fellow Ghanaian on the score sheet, Alfred Osei, who scored a well taken header from a corner kick. The goal was Alfred’s second of the campaign. Now deployed in a more advanced position, Jordan feels there’s more to come from his countryman.

“He always wants to push forward and score, always,” said Mintah. “This is not the first time he’s scored. He scored three times last season as a defender. I think more will come from him.”