Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo will hope to begin life at his new club Shanghai Shenhua on a positive note when the 2019 Chinese Super League season kicks-off on Friday, reports Completesports.com.
Ighalo, 29, recently linked up with Shenhua from relegated Changchun Yatai where he was top scorer with 21 goals from 28 appearances.
He scored 36 goals in in 55 appearances in his two seasons with Changchun Yatai.
Shenhua will face champions Shanghai SPIG at the Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai, and all eyes will be on Ighalo to see if he can reproduce his scoring form.
The former Watford striker made his first appearance for the club in a 3-0 pre-season friendly win against Dalian Yifang last Saturday.
Ighalo rejected advances from top European clubs before sealing a transfer to Shanghai Shenhua on February 14 for a fee of 15 million euros, with two young Chinese players moving in the opposite direction.
Shenhua finished in seventh position in the CSL table last season with 38 points from 30 games.
Another Nigerian, Sone Aluko who joined Beijing Renhe from English Championship side, Reading, this week is also expected to be in action when the club face Shandong Luneng also on Friday at Jinan Olympics Sports Centre.
By Adeboye Amosu
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