Brilliant Ighalo sends Al-Hilal to AFC CL quarters; bad night for Onyemaechi at Benfica

A few Nigerian players were in action for their clubs in Europe and beyond on Monday night.

Odion Ighalo was on target as Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League following a 3-1 defeat of Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha on Monday.

Ighalo, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ top scorer, opened the scoring for Al Hilal in the 17th minute after good attacking work from Mali’s Moussa Marega.

The Mali international charged forward to set up Ighalo. The former Manchester United striker expertly stepped inside Mohammed Marzooq before unleashing a low left-foot shot from 20 metres that goalkeeper Majed Nasser could not keep out.

Second-half goals from Jang Hyun-soo and Luciano Vietto for the champions later ensured that Khribin’s 86th-minute strike for Shabab Al Ahli was nothing more than a consolation.

In the Greek Super League 1, Super Eagles star Oghenekaro Etebo delivered an excellent display in midfield to help Aris Thessaloniki record a hugely convincing 3-0 win away to OFI.

New Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi endured a terrible night as his Boavista fell to a 3-1 loss at Benfica.

Onyemaechi picked up a late booking for his troubles as Boavista remain without a win in their last four games.