Asisat Oshoala hat-trick inspires Al Hilal to thump Al Ahly 6-2 in Premier Challenge Cup semis

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala continued her blistering form in Saudi Arabia with another stunning hat-trick, inspiring Al Hilal to a commanding 6-2 victory over Al Ahly in the Saudi Women’s Premier Challenge Cup semi-final.

The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year had already announced her intentions in the previous round with a treble in Al Hilal’s 5-0 demolition of Eastern Flames, and she once again proved decisive as her side moved within touching distance of a first-ever Challenge Cup title.

Al Hilal set the tone early in the contest, with Oshoala opening the scoring before striking again moments later to give her team a comfortable two-goal cushion heading into the break. The Riyadh-based side carried that momentum into the second half, tightening their grip on the match as Jéssica Silva added a third to widen the gap.

Oshoala soon got on the scoresheet again, netting Al Hilal’s fourth to effectively put the result beyond doubt. The onslaught continued late in the game, with further goals from Jéssica and Oshoala completing a dominant performance and sealing Al Hilal’s place in the final of the competition.

The result means Oshoala is now just one match away from lifting her first trophy with Al Hilal, having played a central role throughout the tournament.

In the other semi-final, Al Nassr delivered an emphatic 5-0 win over Al Ittihad, the side featuring Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega. Clara Luvanga struck twice, while Andreia Faria, Ruth Kipoyi and Shuruq Al-Hawsawi also found the net to cap a comprehensive victory.

Al Hilal will now take on Al Nassr in the Challenge Cup final.