Saudi Pro League: Musona and Saviour spark miraculous relegation escape for Al Okhdoud

When Saviour Godwin’s goal gave Al Okhdoud a precious 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory on Thursday, the odds of relegation appeared to still be low heading into the final day. However, two goals in second half stoppage time from Okhdoud gave them a 3-2 victory over Al Khaleej and results went their way elsewhere for a stunning relegation escape on Monday.

Mohammed Al Jahif’s penalty kick in the 15th minute of stoppage time inspired scenes of delirious celebration but it was Saviour and Zimbabwean teammate Knowledge Musona who each provided assists in the comeback.

Down 2-0 early in the second half to a double from Al Khaleej’s Konstantinos Fortounis, Musona set up Muhannad Al Qaydhi for a 65th minute goal from a short corner kick to pull one back.

Still down heading into stoppage time, Saviour set up Saleh Al Abbas’ equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time before Al Jahif’s penalty marked a repeat of last season when Okhdoud also escaped on the final day.

Elsewhere there were plenty of African goal contributions on the final day of the league. Sadio Mané scored in a thrilling clash between Al-Nassr and Al Fateh, finishing from a cross to put Nassr ahead in the 75th minute.

However, Mané’s 14th league goal of the season did not prevent Fateh from making a furious rally where they scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to claim victory. Matheus Machado’s second half stoppage time match winner came after a brilliant free kick from Moroccan forward Mourad Batna to make it ten goals in his final fifteen league matches.

Finally, Al Kholood ended their season on a positive note thanks to the efforts of Congolese striker Jackson Muleka as well as Comoros national team star Myziane Maolida. On loan from Besiktas and set to join on a permanent transfer for next season, Muleka opened the scoring in a 2-1 victory at already relegated Al Raed.

After Muleka’s goal came just before halftime, Maolida scored his 15th goal of the season to put Kholood beyond reach after a frantic sequence in front of the Al Raed goal.

Al Ittihad had the Saudi Pro League title well secured heading into the final day, defeating Damac 1-0 through a Steven Bergwijn goal in the second half. Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Ahli will represent Saudi Arabia in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite.

The King’s Cup final will complete the Saudi season on Friday when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Al Qadsiah face Ittihad in the final, where Qadsiah can qualify for the AFC Champions League 2 if they win.