The reason Super Eagles striker Ighalo did not make AFC Champions League debut vs Sharjah

Published: April 09, 2022

Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo was a surprise omission from Al Hilal matchday squad for their AFC Champions League clash against Sharjah Cultural Sports Club on Friday night.

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that manager Ramon Diaz did not summon the former Manchester United striker for last night's clash at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh because he was recovering from illness.

Without the influential Nigerian attacker, Al Hilal struggled to earn a 2-1 win over the visitors from the United Arab Emirates.

Saleh Al Shehri converted a spot kick to give the home team the lead inside five minutes, only for Shukurov to restore parity two minutes later, and the winning goal came from Michael just past the hour mark.

Had Ighalo featured against Sharjah, it would have been his first ever game in the AFC Champions League, something he was unable to achieve at previous Asian clubs Changchun Yatai, Shanghai Shenhua and Al Shabab.

The 32-year-old has scored 23 goals in all competitions this term - a career best in a single season for the former Flying Eagles captain.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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