Watford hitman Odion Ighalo
chose a good day to return to goal scoring form as he nailed a goal in the 50th
minute on Sunday to help the English side to their first-ever Wembley FA Cup
semi-final. The Nigerian and his teammates defeated cup holders Arsenal 2-1 at
the Emirates Stadium to achieve the feat.
Ighalo had misplaced his goals
boots the last one month but found his footing on a day that meant so much to
the ambition of the medium rated English side. Nigeria coach Samson Siasia should
be excited seeing the striker hit back of the net again as the March 25 date
against the Egyptians in Kaduna draws nearer.
No statement had come from the
Watford managers as of press time to give a definite picture of the Nigerian’s
injury as he limped off the pitch before the end of the match.
However, Nigeria fans will be
hoping Ighalo is not seriously injured ahead of crucial 2017 Africa Cup of
Nations qualifiers against Egypt as he was forced to limp out of the game
before the end.
It was an African affair for
Watford as Algeria’s Adlene Guediora made it double on 63 minutes, before Danny
Welbeck pulled one back for Arsenal at the 80th minute. Alex Iwobi hit the post
for Arsenal just before Welbeck scored. The youngster is expected in Kaduna for
the Super Eagles African Nations Cup qualifying match.
The result means Watford have
now reached the FA Cup semi-final for the third time in 14 years, while Arsenal
have failed in their bid to become only the third side in history to win the FA
Cup three times in a row.
Defeat ends the club’s 37-month
unbeaten run in the competition and raises the prospect of a trophyless season,
with Arsene Wenger’s side – booed off at the final whistle – eight points off
the pace in the Premier League and 2-0 down to Barcelona ahead of Wednesday’s
Champions League last 16 return leg at Camp Nou.
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