Super Eagles target scores 8.3 rating as Al-Ittihad overtake Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr at the top

Super Eagles hopeful George Ilenikhena produced another impressive display for Al-Ittihad as the Saudi Arabian club moved to the top of the Roshn Saudi League with a 3-1 win away at Al-Faisaly on Friday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 20-year-old Nigerian forward, who came close to returning to Europe this summer, provided two assists for Youssef En-Nesyri as Al-Ittihad extended their unbeaten start to the league season.

Ilenikhena started in attack alongside En-Nesyri and played an important role before he was replaced in the 63rd minute. His performance earned him an 8.3 rating from FotMob.

Steven Bergwijn gave Al-Ittihad the lead in the 28th minute after a pass from Richard Rios. Ilenikhena then helped the visitors take control of the game before half-time. In the 43rd minute, he delivered a low cross into the area for En-Nesyri, who finished from close range to make it 2-0.

The Nigerian was involved again 16 minutes later. He supplied another pass for En-Nesyri, who scored his second goal of the night in the 59th minute. Al-Faisaly pulled one goal back through Theo Bongonda in the 87th minute, but there was no late comeback as Al-Ittihad secured all three points.

The result moved Al-Ittihad to 17 points from seven matches, putting them above Al-Qadsiah at the top of the table. Al-Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, are fourth on 15 points after six games.

Al Ittihad: Ilenikhena's Super Eagles case grows stronger

The performance adds to what has already been a remarkable start to the season for Ilenikhena.

Before the Al-Faisaly match, the forward had scored four league goals. He had scored twice in a 2-1 win over Al-Nassr on 5 September before adding another goal against Al-Fayha three days later. FotMob had given him an 8.7 rating for his performance against Ronaldo's side, his finest display of the season so far.

His other league goal came in Al-Ittihad's 1-0 win away to Al-Qadsiah on 21 August. The two assists against Al-Faisaly were his first league assists of the campaign and took his league goal contributions to six in seven appearances.

Ilenikhena's form is also attracting attention because of his international future. The Lagos-born striker grew up in France and represented the country at youth level, but he has chosen to play for Nigeria at senior level.

His form comes at an important time for the Super Eagles, with Nigeria looking for attacking options ahead of their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.