Ighalo’s Al Hilal make CWC history, Troost-Ekong’s Salernitana bloodied by Juventus

2019 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer Odion Ighalo and Al Hilal have made it to the final of the Club World Cup after they defeated Brazilian giants Flamengo 3-2 in the semifinals of the competition on Tuesday night.

Ighalo featured for 58 minutes but it was a fine double from Saudi Arabian talisman Salem Al Dawsari and Luciano Vietta’s late effort that sealed an unlikely victory over the reigning South American champions.

It is the first time Al Hilal will make it to the final of the Club World Cup where they will face the winner of the second semifinal clash between Egyptian giants Al Ahly and UEFCmA Champions League winners Real Madrid.

Chelsea defeated an Ighalo-inspired Al Hilal 1-0 in the semifinals of the competition last year in the United Arab Emirates.

Ighalo’s feat is also the first time a Nigerian will make it to the final since Mikel Obi and Victor Moses’ Chelsea lost 1-0 to Corinthians in 2012.

In the Italian Serie A, William Troost-Ekong tasted his first defeat since moving back to Italy as Salernitana fell 3-0 at home to Juventus.

Troost-Ekong led Salernitana to a rare 2-1 away win at Lecce on his club debut last week but the Super Eagles vice-captain could not stop Juventus from romping to victory courtesy of goals from Vlahovic (brace) and Kostic.

In England, Anglo-Nigerian forward Nathan Tella scored twice to help Championship leaders Burnley beat League One high-fliers Ipswich Town 2-1 in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.

Nigerian forward Sone Aluko saw 70 minutes of action for Ipswich but Tella hit the target in the second and 94th minutes to nullify Hirst’s third-minute equaliser and power Burnley to the next round of the world’s oldest cup competition.