Nigerian Superstar Celebrates After Waiting 17 Years Before Winning First Ever Professional Title

Odion Ighalo netted a brace on Monday night helping Al Hilal defeat Al Faisaly as they claim the Saudi Professional League

The Nigerian international who left Al Shabab for Al Hilal mid-season finished the campaign with 24 goals to become the top scorer

Ighalo, who waited 17 years before claiming his first-ever title, says hard work is the key and that success comes no matter how long it takes

Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo has won his first-ever career title after inspiring Al Hilal to win the Saudi Professional League on Monday night.

The former Manchester United forward scored twice to help Al Hilal defeat Al Faisaly 2-1 in their final league game of the season at the King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh.

Ighalo also finished the campaign as the top scorer after bagging 24 goals in the course of the season as it became the 18th time Al Hilal will be winning the title, Complete Sports reports.

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The forward who grew up in the Ajegunle area of Lagos began his professional career at Prime FC of Osun State in 2005 and then moved to Julius Berger FC the following year.

Ighalo moved to Europe in 2007, where he joined Norwegian outfit, Lyn, as he also played for clubs in China as well as England.

"Delighted over his first-ever career title", the 33-year-old wrote on Instagram:

“I waited 17 years before winning my first league title. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, if you keep working hard and never give up, you will get it right one day. God is the greatest.”

Sevilla looking to sign Nigeria’s Sadiq Umar

Meanwhile, Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar has been attracting interest from top European clubs in the summer transfer window after his impressive spell with Almeria last season.

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The 25-year-old forward scored 18 goals and contributed 12 assists to help Almeria secure promotion to the Spanish La Liga and that has prompted some top cubs to ask for his signature.

Sevilla is the latest club to enquire about the availability of the Super Eagles forward as they plan on signing him to strengthen their attacking set-up after refusing to keep Anthony Martial permanently.

Francis Uzoho welcomes bouncing baby

Sports Brief earlier reported that Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has posted an awesome photo of him and his lovely wife in the hospital as they welcomed a newborn baby with the player giving thanks to God.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who currently plays for Cyprus first division club Omonia is grateful to God for the new gift while posing with his wife beside the hospital bed.

This latest development is coming days after Francis Uzoho helped the Super Eagles to beat Sierra Leone and Sao Tome in the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.