Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo Makes Winning Start At Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab

The Nigerian forward only joined the Riyadh-based side a few days ago after ending his association with Manchester United and Shanghai Shenhua

Odion Ighalo made his first appearance for Al Shabab as the White Lions secured a brilliant 4-1 win over Al Raed at the Al-Shabab Club Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Spotting jersey number 89, Ighalo was introduced in the 83rd minute of the encounter to replace Abdullah Alhamddan with victory all but secured at that point for the home side.

An Ever Banega penalty and further strikes from Argentine attacker Cristian Guanca and Fabio Martins handed manager Carlos Hernandez’s side a comfortable first-half lead.

Karim El Berkaoui reduced the deficit for the visitors. Still, Guanca’s second goal of the afternoon off an assist from former Sevilla man Banega ensured Al-Shabab celebrated a brilliant win on Ighalo’s debut.

The win lifts the Riyadh-based Al-Shabab to the summit of the Saudi Arabia Pro League, two points clear of second-place Al Ahli.

The six-time league champions have not lifted the championship crown since the 2011-12 season and will hope Ighalo’s addition can inspire them to a seventh triumph.

Ighalo won the 2019 Chinese FA Cup with Shanghai Shenhua, the only winner’s medal in his cabinet since departing the shores of Nigeria in 2007.