Super Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi, was absent as Odion Ighalo notched a brace for Changchun Yatai in their six-goal thriller against Tianjin TEDA at Tianjin Tuanbo Soccer Stadium on Saturday.
The forward’s double meant he equalled his best ever scoring record in a single season at Watford.
Ighalo’s finest return was 20 goals during the 2014/15 campaign in his debut season in England.
On 11 minutes, the Nigeria international opened the scoring after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Agrita Mierzejewski, his 19th goal in the Chinese Super League this term.
The number nine would be relieved he found the net as he had missed a glorious chance minutes earlier after finding himself in a 1 on 1 situation with goalkeeper Du Jia.
A brace from Johnathan Aparecido levelled the tie at 2-2 after 52 minutes but Yatai responded and led again after Ighalo converted a spot kick in the 65th minute.
The Changchun captain will have a chance to set a new best scoring record in a single season after the international break when his team face Beijing Guoan.
Mikel, meanwhile, continues his rehabilitation from injury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIs9eAAYgOo
