Nigeria stars abroad: Ighalo equals career-best goal return; Sor strikes as Slavia stumble; Bassey, Aribo wave title bye

A few Nigerian players delivered impressive performances as their respective clubs were involved in the midweek league and cup actions

Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo netted a second-half penalty to power Al Hilal to a fine 2-0 away win at Al Ittifaq in their outstanding Saudi Pro League match.

Ighalo’s strike was his 21st league goal, equalling his career-best return, which he hit in his second year at Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai.

Despite the 32-year-old’s brilliance, Al Hilal may still not win the Saudi league title, with the defending champions sitting second, six points behind leaders Al Ittihad with only four games left.

In Scotland, Super Eagles trio Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, and Joe Aribo waved goodbye to the Premiership title they won last year despite Rangers thrashing Ross County 4-1 at the Ibrox Stadium.

Aribo played the first 45 minutes, Balogun was introduced at halftime, while Bassey assisted the Gers’ last goal of the night.

But bitter rivals Celtic’s 1-1 draw at Dundee United was enough to reclaim the league title from the Gers.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men can still win a cup double, though, as they are in the final of the Scottish Cup and the Europa League.

Elsewhere, Nigerian striker Yira Sor was on target for Slavia Prague in their 1-1 draw at Banik Ostrava in the Championship round of the Czech Liga.

The youngster powered home a fine finish in the fifth minute to hand the visitors the lead, but Buchta equalised for the home side to leave a massive dent in Slavia’s title hopes.

The Slavists currently trail league leaders Viktoria Plzen by four points with just two matches remaining to close the campaign.