Odion Ighalo Scores Twice As Al Hilal Defeat Al Faisaly to Emerge Champions of Saudi Pro League

Odion Ighalo Scores Twice As Al Hilal Defeat Al Faisaly to Emerge Champions of Saudi Pro League

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:05 PM
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  • Saudi Professional League 2021-22 season has officially ended and Al Hilal have emerged champions following victory over Al Faisaly
  • Nigerian international Odion Ighalo scored twice in their final game to ensure Al Hilal edged closest contenders Al Ittihad to the title
  • It was Ighalo’s 12th goal of the season having featured in thirteen matches since his arrival from rival club Al Shabab

Nigerian international Odion Ighalo found the back of the net twice helping Al Hilal to a 2-1 win over Al Faisaly as they claim the Saudi Professional League title in style.

Ighalo scored in each half of the encounter to light up the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Monday night.

Al Hilal who needed a win to beat their closest challengers Al Ittihad to the domestic title approached the game with utmost caution following three straight wins before their final game of the season.

Odion Ighalo, Saudi Pro League, Al Hilal, Super Eagles
Saudi Professional League 2021-22 season has ended with Al Hilal emerging champions. Photo: @PaliNewsBot
Source: Twitter

GOAL reports that the former Manchester United striker Ighalo opened the scoring as early as the 7th minute after he tucked home Michael’s pass to beat goalkeeper Mustafa Malayekah.

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Ramon Diaz’s side failed to extend their lead before the break as the visitors were resolute in their defence - as it ended 1-0 at halftime.

Ighalo doubled his tally for the hosts in the 64th minute after the opposition defenders seemed to have gone to sleep as the Nigerian squeezed in his effort to make it 2-0.

It was his goal number 12 in 13 matches since his arrival from Al Shabab, however, Al Faisaly pulled one back in the 70th minute to set up a nervy end to the encounter, Arab News reports.

To complicate issues, Hussain Qassem was shown a red card for serious foul play, but that was how it ended; Al Hilal 2-1 Al Faisaly.

Ighalo has now won his first league title ever since he began his professional career with former Nigeria Professional Football League side Prime FC in 2005.

Taiwo Awoniyi goes emotional while signing contract with Nottingham Forest

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi will play in the English Premier League next season after he signed for newly promoted side Nottingham Forest and it got him emotional.

The Nigerian international could not hide how he felt during the official signing as he seemed to shed tears of joy upon such a historical moment of his career.

Awoniyi scored 20 goals in 43 appearances for German side Union Berlin last season and he is now the first signing of Nottingham Forest following the club’s return to the English topflight.

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Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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