Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo is thrilled to have won his first ever league title of his career after 17 years, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Ighalo, who has played league football in seven different leagues (Nigeria, Norway, Italy, Spain, England, China and Saudi Arabia) across Europe and Asia without winning a league title, broke the jinx by helping Al Hilal clinch their 18th Saudi topflight title, scoring twice as they beat Al Faisaly 2-1 on Monday.
The brace also earned him the top scorer’s award in his first season at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
Ighalo scored 24 goals to finish as the league’s highest goalscorer – beating Brazilian duo Romarinho and Talisca to joint-second place (20 goals each).
It was the first time also in his career that he emerged topscorer in the league he played in.
Thirteen of those strikes were scored with his right foot, eight with his left, while the remaining three were headed goals.
Basking in the euphoria of his latest achievement, the 33-year-old went on Instagram to gush over his personal accomplishment.
“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,” he wrote.
The former Flying Eagles captain made his senior Nigeria debut in March 2015 against Uganda and played a crucial role as Gernot Rohr’s Eagles finished third at the 2019 AFCON, where he emerged as top scorer with five goals.
Contact: theeditor[at]punchng.com
