Ighalo celebrates Super Eagles call-up with match-winning strike in crucial league clash

The Nigerian forward is growing into an unstoppable force in the Saudi top-flight as he netted his fourth league goal for the Asian champions

Odion Ighalo smashed home a second-half winner to steer Al Hilal to a 2-1 win over league leaders Al Ittihad at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh in a Saudi Arabia Pro League contest on Tuesday evening.

Despite playing at home, it was always going to be a difficult encounter for Ighalo and Al Hilal against an opponent that was enjoying a sensational season.

Al Ittihad had won an incredible 17 matches this term and led the table with 54 points, 14 more than defending champions Al Hilal before kick-off. 

The Blues have played two fewer games, though, but they knew anything short of the maximum points would snuff life out of any faint hope of retaining their crown.

And the home side set about their task early one with diligence and were rewarded with the opener courtesy of Salem Al Dawsari’s 16th-minute penalty.

Al Ittihad fought back well, though, and they deservedly netted an equaliser on the hour-mark through Haroune Camara.

Ighalo, however, had the final say, with the Nigerian international restoring the Blues’ narrow lead with a stunning finish from the edge of the box, a lead they protected until the final whistle.

The goal, Ighalo’s fourth in as many games for a side he only joined in January, sends him clear at the Saudi Pro League goalscorer’s chart with 15.

For the former Watford star, it certainly is the perfect response to critics who constantly question his return to the Nigerian national team fold.

Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen included Ighalo, 32, in the 25-man squad set to face Ghana in a two-legged World Cup qualifying playoff later in March.