Ighalo can’t stop scoring, sends Al Hilal into semifinals of King’s Cup
Nigerian striker up to 17 goals in all competitions this season
Odion Ighalo continued his amazing goalscoring form with a well-taken strike against Al Nassr as his Al Hilal side claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 win in their Saudi Arabia King’s Cup quarterfinal clash.
Ighalo has been on a roll for his new side Al Hilal since joining from Al Shabab following a dispute surrounding his Africa Cup of Nations participation with the Super Eagles. The striker had scored three goals in three appearances for his new club coming into the Cup clash.
In the quarterfinal of the Saudi Arabia King’s Cup, Ighalo and his Al Hilal teammates came up against AFCON 2021 top scorer Vincent Aboubakar and Al Nassr, the former club of Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.
Al Nassr got off to a perfect start in the 17th minute as former Besiktas star Anderson Talisca was set up by Aboubakar to open the scoring and put them in the driving seat.
It took a while, but Ighalo inspired Al Hilal to roar back into the game in the 62nd minute. The veteran Super Eagles striker leapt highest to connect with an inch-perfect cross from Saud AbdulHamid and power a header into the back of the net to draw his side level.
Saudi Arabia international winger Salem Al Dawsari secured the win for Al Hilal after he found the net from the penalty spot in the 80th minute to make it 2-1 and complete the turnaround.
Al Hilal will now face one of Al Shabab or Al Ahly in the semifinals of the Saudi Arabia King’s Cup.
Super Eagles Head Coach Austin Eguavoen will be undoubtedly pleased with the form of Odion Ighalo heading into the crunch FIFA World Cup Qualifying Playoffs against Ghana next month.
