Al Okhdood's Saviour: galvanised Godwin coming good at just right time

It’s the easy pun to make, but Al Okhdood’s No.10 really could be their saviour this season.

Go back a little more than a month and the southernmost club in the Roshn Saudi League were second last in the table, above Al Wehda purely on goal difference.

They were mired in a run of eight straight games without a win, with only one victory in their past 11 since the resumption of the campaign from its mid-season break.

They were bleak times for the club from Najran, who are experiencing only their second season of top-flight football after winning promotion for the first time last term.

Al Okhdood appoint Paulo Sergio as new head coach

Former Hearts boss starts mission with Al Ittihad challenge

But, with the team staring down relegation, one player emerged to catapult their survival bid: the appropriately named, Saviour Godwin.

As Al Okhdood entered stoppage-time of the Matchweek 25 encounter with Al Ahli in mid-March, they trailed 1-0 and their winless streak looked like extending to nine - even after Saleh Al Abbas struck a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of the additional time.

But the drama didn’t end there. Godwin, struggling for form this season, scored with virtually the last kick of the game to spark wild scenes among the Al Okhdood faithful.

Almost from out of nowhere, that terrible run had snapped. Finally, for the first time in two months, Al Okhdood could celebrate the sweet taste of success.

In an instant, Godwin’s 99th-minute winner against a surging Al Ahli – the top-four chasing side were unbeaten in seven in all competitions, with six wins – was installed as the high point of an otherwise troubled season for both club and, until that point, player as well.

Three goals in his previous 21 RSL matches is below expectation for a forward of Godwin’s quality, and clearly it was hindering Al Okhdood’s performance, too.

But, in hindsight, that remarkable victory might prove something of a turning point. Including the game against Al Ahli, Paulo Sergio’s side are undefeated in their past five, winning three. Godwin, meanwhile, has three goals and an assist across that period.

The recent renaissance has lifted Al Okhdood from deep in the relegation mire to, as it stands with five rounds remaining, outside the relegation zone and with a chance of avoiding the drop.

That two of those triumphs came against Al Orobah and Al Kholood, teams also fighting for survival, was not so much icing on the cake, but potentially decisive in determining Al Okhdood’s fate.

And who grabbed the goals to seal both wins? That’s right: Godwin.

With the season now very much in its final stretch, Al Okhdood sit 15th, three points off Damac in 11th as the race to stave off RSL relegation heats up this week.

Beat the Drop: How battle for RSL survival heats up in MW30

Ten points separate bottom eight clubs

Just as importantly, Al Okhdood’s goal difference, which could have a major say come the conclusion of the campaign, has reduced from -17 to -13. It represents the best of any side in the bottom seven.

Speaking last week after his 67th-minute effort clinched all three points at 12-placed Al Kholood, Godwin paid tribute to those who had supported Al Okhdood through their troubled times this season.

“I want to say a big thank you,” he said. “The whole team came out today to give 100 percent, from the technical staff, to the players, to the president, to the fans.

“They were supportive from the beginning of the season, and it is good to pay them back with this victory. I feel happy to pay them back with an important goal such as this to give three points to my team.”

As for what comes next?

“The focus stays the same,” Godwin said. “We are still going to be motivated to see how we can go into the following games [and treat them] like a final. Every game is important for us now and hopefully we continue to work hard because it is not finished.

“We are going to continue to work hard in the team and in the training and in everything we do. And hopefully we will be rewarded with a victory.”

That focus is now very much on the home clash with Al Wehda on Thursday night, the team now second from bottom, two spots but only two points worse off. Much like Al Okhdood, the Mecca club are enjoying a resurgence of their own, with three wins from their past five RSL outings.

The significance is obvious. Victory for Al Okhdood would see them climb five points clear of Al Wehda and increase their chances of securing top-flight status. A win for Al Wehda, though, would propel them above Al Okhdood and drop Godwin and Co. back into the relegation zone.

For even more intrigue, the all-important clash at Prince Hathloul Bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium will also pit Godwin against his Nigerian compatriot, and RSL veteran, Odion Ighalo; it feels the fellow countrymen are key to the survival of their respective sides.

Undeniably, it’s high-stakes football in Najran, where a galvanised Godwin will once again be looking to be Al Okhdood’s saviour - pun intended.

--------

Check out our interview with Godwin, on his work ethic, family, favourite Saudi food and "hero" Cristiano Ronaldo