By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo was on the score sheet as his Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal beat Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates a 3-1 in the Asian Champions League clash.
Following their victory, Al Hilal are now in the quarter-final, courtesy of goals from Ighalo, Jang Hyun-soo and Luciano Vietto.
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.
The quarter-final 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.
Meanwhile, Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti named super star Victor Osimhen in the squad to face Frankfurt in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League round of 16, first-leg clash.
Osimhen has only featured three times in the Champions League this season due to an injury he suffered early on in the season when his faced Liverpool in the opening game.
He returned in October after a month on the side lines, and he scored his only goal in the group stages in Napoli’s to 4-2 victory against Ajax.
Already, the Nigerian has scored 18 goals and given three assists for his club in Serie A in this term.
