Ba signed for Shanghai Shenhua in 2015, marking the sixth country he has played in after France, Belgium, Germany, England and Turkey.
But all signs point to another goal-filled season for the striker, if Sunday's performance for Shanghai Shenhua was anything to go by.
Ba missed a 30th-minute penalty but still managed to bag a hat-trick as Shanghai Shenhua beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 3-1 in the Chinese Super League (CSL) at the weekend.
The former Newcastle and Chelsea striker saw his weak spot-kick saved for the second game in succession, but made amends with a sharply-taken treble.
The Senegalese marksman netted from close range in the fifth, 43rd and 58th minutes but admitted that his continuing woe from the penalty spot was puzzling.
"Usually I never miss penalties," he said after the match at Hongkou stadium in Shanghai, "not to mention two in a row. I felt feel quite down about that.
"I'm going to practise more in training to keep goalkeepers guessing next time."