China Wrap: Captain Ighalo Can't Stop Scoring; Mikel Deployed In Right Midfield

Published: July 21, 2018

Allnigeriasoccer.com reviews the performance of Nigerian players in the Chinese Super League on Saturday, with Super Eagles stars Odion Ighalo and Obi Mikel getting more minutes under their belt.

The former Watford striker continued his fine start to the second stanza of the league, making it two goals in two matches after registering his name on the score-sheet in Changchun Yatai's 2-1 loss to Shandong Luneng at Changchun's People Stadium this afternoon.

The penalty-box predator, who was wearing the captain's armband, scored from close range on 24 minutes after receiving a pass from Fan Xiaodong.

Three minutes before half-time, Ighalo found himself in a 1 on 1 situation with the goalkeeper and looked odds on to score, only for his effort to be cleared off the line.

Whilst Ighalo is firing on all cylinders, Changchun Yatai are experiencing a dip in form after losing their fourth game in five, one of which was against John Obi Mikel's Tianjin Teda on May 12.

As for the Nigeria captain, he returned to Tianjin Teda's starting lineup against Chongqing Dangdai Lifan FC after serving a mandatory one-match suspension and played as a right midfielder in his side's 2-1 loss.

Mikel went the distance in his first appearance for Tianjin Teda after the World Cup break.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel