Al-Nassr don carry three points comot for Al-Akhdoud hand yesterday, but the gist no dey only for the pitch. The match wey play for Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium for Najran end 2-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix wey score the goals. Al-Nassr dey lead the Saudi Roshen League table with 73 points now, and dem dey eye the title as only six matches remain.
Ronaldo open scoring for 15th minute. The man just dey ghost pass Al-Akhdoud defenders collect Nawaf Boushel pass finish am. That goal make am reach 24 goals for the season, but e still dey third for top scorers list behind Julián Quiñones and Ivan Toney. Second half, Félix tap in rebound after Kingsley Coman header hit post, make am 2-0. Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus even withdraw Ronaldo later as precaution.
But as Al-Nassr dey celebrate, another wahala dey bubble for Saudi Pro League. Ivan Toney, wey play for Al-Ahli, don accuse referees of cheating to favour Al-Nassr for title race. Toney talk say after Al-Ahli 1-1 draw with Al-Fayha, one referee tell dem to “focus on Asian Champions League” instead of league. E talk say three penalty appeals wey dem deny affect the match.
Referees Committee don check audio recordings, say dem no hear any evidence. But new video don surface wey show Al-Ahli interpreter dey ask fourth official if wetin e talk dey recorded. The official just look shocked. Refereeing expert Nawaf Shukrallah explain say fourth official fit switch off microphone, so conversation fit no enter recording.
Al-Ahli don release statement express “deep dissatisfaction” with refereeing errors. Riyad Mahrez even post emoji for social media show frustration. The controversy don drag Cristiano Ronaldo name inside, even though e no directly involve. Al-Ahli dey third with 68 points, four points behind Al-Nassr.
For Al-Nassr side, dem dey focus on title. Dem don win 13 consecutive league matches now. With six matches remain, dem need just four wins to clinch trophy. Big match against Al-Hilal for May 7 fit decide everything. But as dem dey chase title, referee wahala dey cast shadow for the whole league.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo free kick video don go viral before the match. The video wey surface two days before show am score “insane” free kick wey dodged wall enter net. Social media users dey call am “ABSURD” and “INSANE.” The timing make plenty fans dey expect magic from am against Al-Akhdoud.
Al-Akhdoud sef dey struggle. Dem dey 17th with 16 points, deep inside relegation zone. Dem try small for second half with Pedrosa and Gökhan Göl shots, but nothing trouble Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento Matheus. Their season don near end, and survival dey look tough.
As Saudi Pro League dey enter final weeks, two stories dey run. One na Al-Nassr steady march toward title with Ronaldo leading charge. The other na controversy wey dey question integrity of officiating. Fans dey watch as both drama dey unfold side by side.
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