Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting a hattrick as Al Wehda secured a convincing 4-2 victory over Damac FC at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium.
The Super Eagles star turned up for his new team with a masterclass display, Ighalo scored two first-half goals and another in the second half, while Australian striker Craig Goodwin secured the emphatic home result for Al-Wehda.
The former Manchester United striker made a significant move to join the Red Giants on a free transfer after his contract with Al Hilal came to an end without an agreement for an extension. Ighalo opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a ball found its way to him, and he clinically fired a shot past Basit Abdullah from inside the box, putting Georgios Donis’s men in the lead.
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Although Gambian forward Assan Ceesey leveled the score in the 36th minute, Ighalo swiftly restored Al Wehda’s lead with another well-placed shot from the penalty spot to the right corner of the goal in injury time of the first half.
In the second half, Ighalo once again found the back of the net, extending his team’s lead. Super Sub Craig Godwin further solidified Al Wehda’s position by adding a fourth goal. A late consolation goal came from substitute Sultan Faqihi in the 83rd minute, but it was not enough to salvage a point for the visitors.
With this victory, Ighalo’s Al Wehda has accumulated nine points from six matches in the Saudi Pro League, closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, who have 10 points with one match in hand.