Efmamjjasond Gonzalez hits hat-trick as Nantong Zhiyun strengthen promotion push

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Efmamjjasond Gonzalez scored three times to lead Nantong Zhiyun to a 3-1 victory over Foshan Nanshi in Chinese League 1 on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Colombian forward opened the scoring in the 17th minute before doubling Zhiyun’s advantage 14 minutes later.

Foshan Nanshi reduced the deficit in the 36th minute, but Gonzalez completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute to end any prospect of a comeback.

The victory kept Nantong Zhiyun in second place and moved them to within five points of leaders Guangdong.

Gonzalez has now scored 13 goals in 16 league appearances this season, along with one assist. He is four goals behind the competition’s leading scorer, Giovanny.

The result also returned Zhiyun to winning ways after their previous match ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat by Yatai. That loss came after the club had recorded three consecutive victories.

Gonzalez’s prolific run in China represents a significant change in fortunes from his time at Kaizer Chiefs. He joined the South African club on loan from Real Santa Cruz during the 2023/24 season, but failed to score or provide an assist in 13 appearances.

At Nantong Zhiyun, however, he has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most productive forwards, with Saturday’s performance taking his campaign tally to 13 goals.