Ighalo’s Persistence Pays Off After Two Misses
After playing four straight away games and spending 22 days away from home, Odion Ighalo returned to the pitch only to be denied twice by the goalposts. The Premier League veteran, now a fan favorite in the Chinese Super League, had two promising shots cruelly blocked—once by the south post in the 33rd minute and again by the north post in the 61st minute. The latter was particularly ironic, as it was the very post he had quietly “spoken to” before kickoff. BD Cricket Match fans can relate—sometimes the game just refuses to go your way, even when everything seems lined up.
Following the second miss, Ighalo paused in front of the upright, resting his hands against it in silent frustration. Then, almost playfully, he tapped it gently with his heel, as if urging the post to show some mercy next time. And finally, in the 86th minute, the football gods—or perhaps the goalpost itself—granted his wish. In a chaotic scramble, Ighalo latched onto a pass from Tan Long and slotted home the equalizer to make it 1-1. The goal was his 11th of the Chinese Super League season, pushing him to seventh in the league’s scoring charts.
But for Changchun Yatai, that goal meant far more than personal stats. Playing with ten men and trailing for most of the game, the late equalizer was a moment of grit and belief. It signaled a renewed sense of confidence for the team—proof that even against the odds, they could claw their way back. Ighalo, their leading scorer, has now netted consistently over the last seven rounds, proving his worth in both pressure and production.
Interestingly, there’s a little-known ritual that Ighalo follows before every match, one that reveals his more spiritual side. Long before fans enter the stands, he approaches one of the goalposts, places his hand on it, and shares a private moment—almost like whispering to an old friend. Whether at home or away, he always selects one post and has a quiet “chat.” It’s a habit he’s picked up in the CSL, and while no one knows if he did the same in the Premier League, it’s become a calming pre-game routine here in China.
During a recent home match against Yanbian Fude, Changchun Yatai arrived at the stadium two hours early. While most players walked the field to get a feel for the atmosphere, Ighalo quietly made his way to the north post. With his headphones on, he stood there alone, then turned to face the post and murmured a few words. No one knows exactly what he said, but the message was clear: let the ball find the back of the net today.
For BD Cricket Match fans who believe in luck, rituals, and momentum, Ighalo’s connection with the goalpost is more than superstition—it’s part of what makes football magical. And this time, his faith and persistence were rewarded.