The match between Al-Shorta and Al-Duhail, held at Al-Zawraa Stadium in the capital, Baghdad, as part of the eighth and final round of the group stage in the AFC Champions League for the elite, witnessed a noteworthy event represented by the remarkable first appearance of Senegalese professional Bolu Sambo in the green lyre's jersey.

The technical staff of Al-Shorta fielded Sambo as a starter for the first time since his joining the team, granting him full confidence in a match that represented a last chance to achieve a moral victory in the tournament, despite the team's official exit from the qualifying race before this round.

The match ended with Al-Shorta winning three goals to two, with Sambo clearly leaving his mark in the second half, after turning the tables on the Qatari team with a quick and decisive double.

With the start of the second half, after Al-Duhail finished the first half leading by two goals to one, Al-Shorta intensified its offensive pressure in search of a comeback. The 57th minute witnessed the first offensive explosion moment for the Senegalese striker, when he managed to capitalize on a ball inside the penalty area and placed it in the net, announcing the equalizer, bringing the match back to square one and igniting the enthusiasm of the fans in the stands.

Sambo did not give his opponent any chance to catch their breath, as he returned after just one minute, specifically in the 58th minute, to score his second personal goal and the third for his team, exploiting the defensive confusion in Al-Duhail's ranks, confirming his strong presence in his first starting participation with the team.

This rapid transformation gave Al-Shorta a significant moral advantage and imposed a new rhythm on the meeting, as the team succeeded in maintaining its lead until the final whistle, achieving its first victory in the tournament and concluding its Asian journey on a positive note.

Sambo left the field in the 84th minute amid applause from the fans, after delivering an impactful and decisive performance, confirming that he is a signing capable of making a difference in the upcoming stage, especially with the team entering crucial stages on the domestic front.