Video: with his favourite weapon, En-Nesyri follows in Benzema's footsteps at Al-Ittihad

The Moroccan striker responds to everyone

Al-Ittihad's Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri has followed in the footsteps of his French predecessor Karim Benzema in the team's opening match of the Saudi Roshn League.

Al-Ittihad hosted Al-Khaleej on Saturday at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, in the first round of the Roshn League fixtures.

En-Nesyri opened the scoring for Al-Ittihad in the 43rd minute, heading home an excellent cross from right-back Ahmed Al-Julaidan.

His heading ability sets the Moroccan apart. It was something the team lacked last season under Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, before re-emerging recently alongside German coach Jens Wissing.

By opening Al-Ittihad's Roshn League account, En-Nesyri followed in the footsteps of Benzema, now Al-Hilal's striker, who scored the "Tigers'" first goals in the competition last season.

Strangely enough, Benzema also opened Al-Hilal's scoring this season, converting a penalty in the 4-2 win over Al-Faisaly on Friday at the Kingdom Arena.

Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn had opened Al-Ittihad's scoring for the season overall, netting in the 4-1 win over the UAE's Al-Jazira last Tuesday in the qualifying play-off for the AFC Champions League Elite.