- 2019 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer Odion Ighalo is about to receive a multi-million naira reward after helping Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal reach the final of the prestigious Club World Cup.
Ighalo featured for 58 minutes as Al Hilal shocked the bookmakers to carve out a 3-2 win over South American champions Flamengo in the semifinal of the competition.
It is the first time Al Hilal will reach the title-deciding stage of the Club World Cup and the first time a Nigerian player will appear at that stage since Victor Moses and Mikel Obi made the Chelsea squad in 2012. Moses and Obi ended on the losing side on that day, as Chelsea fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Copa Libertadores champions, Corinthians.
Pleased by Al Hilal's feat; Saudi Arabia's billionaire prince, Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, has reportedly promised to give Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo, and other players of Al-Hilal one million Saudi Riyal (£222,000).
Each player will also pick up a cheque of a million Saudi Riyal if they win the tournament. In the final, Al Hilal will face the winner of the second semi-final clash between Egyptian giants, Al Ahly and UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid.
Last year, Ighalo and Al Hilal failed to advance past the semifinal phase after losing 1-0 to a Romelu Lukaku-inspired Chelsea. Al Hilal equally lost their third-place playoff African champions 4-0 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
