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Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo’s performance was the finest of the Nigerian stars in action on Friday. The former Watford man scored a brilliant first-half hat-trick in Al Hilal’s 4-2 triumph over Al Ahli in the Saudi Arabia Pro League at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium on Friday evening.
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Ighalo pounced on a defensive mistake to slot home the opener with his left foot in the 11th minute.
The 32-year-old then crashed home an instinctive first-time shot just past the hour-mark to double the champions’ advantage. And the former Manchester United loanee completed his impressive haul deep into first-half stoppage time with a fine finish after a powerful run.
It was Ighalo’s first hat-trick for the side he joined only in January.
The league’s leading goalscorer, Ighalo, now has 19 goals, at least four more than the chasing pack led by Ittihad’s Brazilian attacker Romarinho.
His first half treble took his tally for the season to 22 goals from 28 appearances in all competitions with thirteen in the colours of past club Al Shabab and nine for Al Hilal.
When Ighalo found the net in the third minute of stoppage time, he broke his personal record for goals in a single season.
His previous personal best was the 21 he netted in his final season at Chinese team Changchun Yatai.
This is Ighalo’s third 20-goal campaign, having first achieved the feat in his maiden season at Watford, 2014-2015.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer has shifted his focus to the upcoming 2022 World Cup playoff against regional rivals Ghana at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
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Ighalo is leaving Saudi Arabia on Sunday and he is expected to arrive in the Super Eagles camp on Sunday night.
Super Eagle Striker Sent Warning Message To Black Stars With Hat-Trick (africatopsports.com)