Leonel Ateba scores a brace as reigning Iraqi champions Al Shorta win league match

Former Simba SC star Leonel Ateba continues to enjoy a fruitful spell with Iraq Stars League champions Al Shorta and on Thursday, the Cameroonian forward scored both goals for the visitors in a 2-1 derby victory at fellow Baghdad club Al Zawraa.

The reigning champions remain undefeated in 2026 after Ateba’s double kept them in position to seize first place. The club nicknamed Al-Qithara (The Harp) are two points behind Al-Quwa-Al-Jawiya with a game in hand.

Ateba’s first goal was a simple enough finish. High pressing from the Shorta attack led to them winning possession before a quick and effective attack freed up the forward for an easy tap-in from a cross in the 11th minute.

But hosts Al Zawraa did fight back through Iraq international midfielder Mohammed Qasim, who cut inside from the right wing and fired in a low shot to equalize ten minutes later.

Locked into a tight match, it was a direct attack that led to the match-winning goal from Ateba in the 68th minute. A ball down the right flank found Syria national team legend Mahmoud Al-Mawas, whose cross was perfect for the forward to direct his header into the lower corner.

 

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From Simba hero to Al Shorta star

Ateba is now third on the top scorer list with twelve goals this season. After leaving his native Cameroon for a rather unsuccessful spell with Algerian club USM Alger during the 2023-24 season, he found massive success with Simba to help lead the club to the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup final.

His current stay in Iraq is his first adventure outside the African continent and the former Coton Sport de Garoua player is certainly having no issues adapting to the pressure of competing for an Al Shorta team that has won the last four editions of the Iraqi top flight.