Saviour Godwin: Nigerian striker scores in Al-Okhdood defeat to Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian forward Saviour Godwin made an impact in the Saudi Pro League as his team, Al-Okhdood, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Al-Nassr on Thursday.

Godwin netted the lone goal for his side in a match that saw Senegalese striker Sadio Mane score twice for Al-Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo also finding the back of the net for the visitors.

The Super Eagles forward opened the scoring in the sixth minute, putting Al-Okhdood ahead with a clinical right-footed strike from the center of the box.

Godwin’s early goal gave his team a promising start, but Al-Nassr’s attacking firepower—led by Mane and Ronaldo—proved too much for Al-Okhdood to handle.

Despite a valiant effort from Godwin, who was substituted late in the game, Al-Okhdood could not maintain their lead and ultimately succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.

Godwin’s performance in the match was a reminder of his potential. He was a standout player for the Flying Eagles at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, contributing to three goals in four appearances.

After the tournament, he was promoted to Nigeria’s Olympic team and later made his long-awaited Super Eagles debut in a friendly against Algeria in September 2022.