Nigerian Football

Ighalo sends Asian champions Al Hilal into quarters, Foolad also progress

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2023

Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal made the Asian Champions League quarter-finals after goals from Odion Ighalo, Jang Hyun-soo and Luciano Vietto saw the champions hand Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates a 3-1 defeat at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha on Monday.

Iranians Foolad also reached the continental championship’s last eight as Javad Nekounam’s team beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly 1-0 with a goal by Sasan Ansari at Al Thumama Stadium to join Al Shabab and Al Duhail in Tuesday’s last-eight draw.

The four remaining clubs in the western half of the competition will face off to decide who meets Urawa Red Diamonds in the two-legged final in April and May after the Japanese side secured the east Asian berth in the decider last year.

Former Manchester United striker Ighalo sent Al Hilal on the way to victory with a 17th minute opener before second half goals from Jang and Vietto sealed the win for Ramon Diaz’s side.

Ighalo struck from distance after Moussa Marega charged forward to set up the Nigerian, who stepped inside Mohammed Marzooq and unleashed a low left-foot shot from 20 metres that goalkeeper Majed Nasser could not keep out.

Shabab Al Ahli’s Omar Khribin almost levelled with a quarter of the game remaining, the Syrian’s free kick forcing Abdullah Al Mayouf to dive full length to push the ball around the post.

Al Hilal, however, added a second with 18 minutes remaining when defender Jang saw his initial header from Vietto’s free kick palmed onto the crossbar by Nasser, only for the South Korean to convert the rebound from close range.

Vietto added a third seven minutes later after Marega’s cross was flicked towards goal by Salem Al Dawsari and the Argentinian netted with his thigh, leaving Khribin’s 86th minute strike as little more than a consolation.

In the day’s earlier game, Ansari scored the only goal as Foolad saw off Al Faisaly, capitalising on a poor attempt by Salem Al Qumayzi to head back to goalkeeper Ahmed Al Kasser to net on the turn in the 64th minute.

The quarter-finals will be played on Thursday while the semi-final will take place on Sunday, with the winners meeting Urawa in the final over two legs on April 29 and May 6.

-Reuters

Nigerian Football

Rivers flow to the top!

Published

7 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Rivers United have launched themselves to the top of the log at the end of the match day 5 of the Nigeria Premier League. The Port Harcourt side beat Akwa United 2-1 to go afloat after initial leaders, Remo Stars crumbled to a 1-0 defeat at Kwara United in Ilorin on Sunday.

It was Remo Stars’ first defeat in the season. Rivers United are now with 13 points. Stephen Mayo put Rivers United ahead after 31 minutes. But it turned a temporary lead as Akwa United bounced back almost at the blast of the referee’s whistle for the second half.

Friday Apollos levelled up for Akwa United before Ndifreke Effiong Udo scored the winner in the 85^th minute.

Sunday Results

Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Rangers International 1-0 Abia Warriors
Heartland FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Rivers United 1-1 Akwa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United* Suspended
Nasarawa 0-0 Bayelsa United

Nigerian Football

Enyimba’s duel with Katsina United plunges into darkness

Published

7 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Former Nigerian champions, Enyimba were coasting to a comfortable 3-0 lead before the game got enveloped by darkness.

The game could not be completed after 75 minutes when the floodlights of the arena suddenly went off.

According to a post on Enymba x-handle, the match will resume at 8.00 am on Monday “ as agreed by both teams and the match officials.”

Sunday Results

Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Rangers International 1-0 Abia Warriors
Heartland FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Rivers United 1-1 Akwa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United* Suspended
Nasarawa 0-0 Bayelsa United

Nigerian Football

Amuneke’s Heartland secures first win this season

Published

7 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Heartland finally got into winning ways on Sunday after the Owerri side secured a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.

The club, under former Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke had gone four matches without a win, finding themselves swimming in the murky waters of relegation.

A brace by Michael Ogu has lifted the club which climbed up to the 16^th position. They had begun the season badly losing at home to Enyimba and failing to win any of the subsequent three matches.

Sunday Results