Odion Ighalo is set to miss Al Hilal’s Saudi Super Cup clash against Anthony Nwakaeme’s Al-Feiha at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday as a result of a hamstring injury suffered in Al Hilal’s 1-0 win over Al Ittihad on January 5.
Ighalo who’s missed his side’s last three league games had been hoping to be fit enough to be part of the squad to face Feiha but will only need a miracle to be part of the game. The Nigerian took part in a light training session at the club alone on Monday practicing with the ball and having light exercises.
Before his injury, Ighalo had been in red hot form scoring eight goals in 12 league games with his last goal coming in Al Hilal’s 1-0 win over Al Ittihad on January 5. Nwakaeme who joined Al-Feiha in the summer has established himself as one of their top players scoring six goals in 11 league games despite being a winger.
With the absence of Ighalo in the encounter, Nwakaeme will be hoping to help propel his team to a final berth where they’ll play either Al Ittihad or Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Al Hilal are currently second on the Saudi league log, one point behind leaders Al Nassar while Nwakaeme’s Feiha are 13th on the league table despite the heroics of the Nigerian.
Feiha qualified for the competition by virtue of being winners of the 2021/22 Kings Cup. They defeated Al Hilal in the final. Hilal qualified as Pro League champions.
The Saudi Super Cup is an annual football match organised by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation. Founded in 2013 as a two-team competition, the current version became open to four teams this season.They include the winners and runners-up of the King Cup and the Pro League.