Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo maintained his fine run of form, after his late winner helped Al Shabab beat Al Ahli Saudi 4-3 in a Saudi Pro League fixture on Saturday.
Al Shabab drew the first blood 16 minutes into the game when Mohammed Majrashi scored into his own net while trying to clear a cross from the right-wing.
Argentina international, Ever Banega then doubled Al Shabab’s lead in the 18th minute before the home team hit back with two quick goals courtesy of Haitham Asiri and Ezgjan Alioski, in the 39th and 44th minutes, respectively, to make the score 2-2 at the half-time break.
After the resumption, Al Ahli took the lead for the first time in the game when Abdulrahman Ghareeb beat Al Shabab goalkeeper Fawaz Al-Qarni with a low effort in the 53rd minute, but Hattan Bahebri levelled matters for Al Shabab in the 71st minute.
Three minutes later, Ighalo, who featured for the entire 90 minutes, sealed the game for the visitors when he dribbled past the Al Ahli defence before slotting the ball past the advancing goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais to secure maximum points for his side.
The former Manchester United striker has now scored 11 goals so far this season from 15 appearances action in the top-flight league.
The win ensured Al Shabab stood second on the log which has 16 teams with 31 points from 15 matches, one point fewer than leaders Al-Ittihad, who have played one match fewer.
Ighalo may have played his last match for Al Shabab heading into the AFCON set to kick off on January 9 in Cameroon.
The 32-year-old former Watford star won the golden boot at the previous edition held in Egypt, scoring five goals as Nigeria struck bronze. No doubt that the Eagles will have to rely on his fire power this time after top strikers Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis dropped from the squad.
The Super Eagles have been pooled in Group D of the continental finals alongside Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, and Sudan and they will open their campaign with a game against the Pharaohs at Roumde Adjia Stadium on January 11.
