Tag: Iheanacho

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick was effusive with praises  for  Kelechi Iheanacho  after  the Nigeria international striker grabbed his first in a 2-1 win over Oxford City on Saturday.

Iheanacho who arrived  the English side on loan from Sevilla  in January, struck in the 48^th  minute for what  was his first goal  for Boro , when he powered in Samuel Illing-Junior’s cross, cancelled out Michal Helik’s opener for Oxford seven minutes before the break.

But Iling-Junior, who was a menace throughout on the left for Middlesbrough, delivered another low cross into the area with 10 minutes left for defender Neto Borges to flick a brilliant finish into the net.

 “Good player. Proven. Experienced,” the  Manchester United legend enthused  about Iheanacho’s qualities  in his post-match analysis with Middlesbrough television. “Think he was a bit frustrated in the first half when he had a chance that hit the cross bar but that’s football.”

Meanwhile, Carrick has backed Iheanacho to build on his first goal for Middlesbrough and boost the push for a Sky Bet Championship play-off place.

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Boro moved level on points with sixth-placed West Brom and two points shy of Coventry in fifth after coming from behind to beat Oxford 2-1.

Victory on Saturday moved Boro  level on points with sixth-placed West Brom and two points shy of Coventry in fifth after coming from behind to beat Oxford 2-1.

Carrick said: “He is happy. We are trying to keep the smile off Neto’s face as much as anything! He was delighted too.

 “But Kel knows it. He has played at a level, and goals make you feel a bit better, naturally.

 “I wasn’t concerned, I knew he would score and hopefully he has got more in him, I am sure he has. It was a massive goal for us.”

He added: “I thought it was a bit slow, a bit sticky first half. Credit to them, they started well. They put us under pressure with long balls, long throws, counter attacks, and we were slow.

 “I liked how we responded and we spoke about being positive. There is going to be a hell of a lot more ups and downs before the end of the season. We can’t let it affect us. We have to stay positive with it.”

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho was on target in Sevilla’s dominant 3-1 victory over fourth-tier club Olot in the Copa del Rey.

Iheanacho, who joined Sevilla in the summer transfer window after leaving Leicester City, has faced challenges adapting to the demands of La Liga.

However, he has found his rhythm in the Copa del Rey, netting three goals in just two appearances in the tournament.

Gonzalo Montiel opened the scoring putting Sevilla ahead in the 22nd minute by converting a penalty after a foul in the box.

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This early goal set the tone for the visitors, who maintained control throughout the match.

Just three minutes into the second half, Spanish midfielder Juanlu Sánchez doubled Sevilla’s lead with a well-placed shot, leaving Olot scrambling.

As the game progressed, Iheanacho added to the scoreboard in the 73rd minute, tapping in a precise pass from teammate Stanis Idumbo.

This goal not only showcased his finishing ability but also signaled a potential resurgence in form for the forward after a rocky start to his tenure in Spain.

Two Nigerian stars, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke, are set to feature when Las Palmas host Sevilla in a highly anticipated La Liga clash tonight. 

The match will broadcast live on StarTimes, with the platform offering all 380 La Liga games on its Sports Premium channel and select matches on Sports Life. All the games are also available for just N600 weekly via the StarTimes-ON app.

Both Iheanacho and Ejuke are looking to rebound from underwhelming seasons and make big statements in La Liga with Sevilla. 

The ‘Senior Man’ has struggled to replicate his 2020/21 form when he netted 12 league goals for Leicester City. 

Ejuke has also struggled for consistency, failing to net more than five league goals in any of his last four seasons across multiple clubs

Read Also: Sevilla coach to unleash Iheanacho, Romero on Las Palmas

Sevilla’s new manager, Garcia Pimienta, is eager to make a strong start after guiding Las Palmas to safety last season. 

Facing his former club will add extra spice to the encounter. 

Despite Sevilla’s struggles on the road last term, they did secure a victory against Las Palmas.

Pimienta has hinted at a potent attacking trio involving Iheanacho, Isaac, and Peque. “I’m not confirming the starting lineup, but we’re considering playing Iheanacho and Isaac together,” he said.  “Their ideal positions are upfront, and we’re working on a system to accommodate both of them.”

In another La Liga fixture on Friday, Celta Vigo will also take on Alaves live on StarTimes. The two teams finished the previous season with a five-point gap, with Alaves occupying the 10th  position and Celta Vigo in 13th .

Kelechi Iheanacho has shared a heartfelt farewell message with Leicester City fans following a remarkable seven-year tenure with the club. 

The Nigeria international departed the King Power Stadium in June after his contract ended.

 Last week, Iheanacho joined LaLiga side Sevilla, signing a two-year deal with an additional one-year option.

 The 27-year-old took to social media to express his gratitude to the fans and club owners for the unforgettable memories during his time at Leicester City.

Read Also: Iheanacho to undergo Sevilla medical this week

“Thank you for the 7 years we shared, I’ll forever cherish our 2021 FA Cup win. Thanks to the owners who brought me to the club, all of my teammates in those years and the amazing foxes fans!! All the best for the new season ,” he wrote on X.

Iheanacho joined Leicester City from Manchester City in 2017.

He scored 36 goals in 173 league appearances for the Foxes.

LaLiga outfit, Sevilla, has  confirmed the  arrival of Nigeria International striker, Kelechi Iheanacho.

The club revealed  yesterday that  that  the erstwhile  Manchester City forward  arrived  on a free transfer after several seasons at Leicester City. He signs for two seasons at Nervión with the option for one more.

Iheanacho is the club’s fifth signing ahead of  the  2024/25 season following  the arrival  of his  compatriot  Chidera Ejuke  as well as Gerard  Peque, Saúl and Albert Sambi.

The 27-year-old and 185 centimetres-tall striker, was  Nigeria’s star performer  at the 2013  FIFA U-17 World Cup  in the UAE  as the Golden Eaglets  clinched  the country’s fourth title and he made the leap to Europe the following season with Manchester City.

Already in the Citizen first team, to which he did not take long to be promoted, he went on to play 64 matches, with 21 goals and 7 assists in the two following seasons.

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In 2017, Iheanacho joined Leicester City , a club where he had already spent some time on loan in their youth academy after arriving in the Old Continent.

With the then recent Premier League champions in 2015/16, the African played a total of 232 matches in all competitions, with 61 goals and 34 assists during this last stage, extended until this last campaign 2023/24.

The new Sevilla striker has also played a total of 19 European competition matches; with seven  matches in the Champions League, another 11 in the UEFA Europa League and one in the Conference League.

Iheanacho who  is credited  with  55 matches and  19 goals for the Super Eagles, is the  second Nigerian player  to be enlisted by Sevilla  following  the arrival  of his  Ejuke in June.

This week, Sevilla President, José María del Nido Carrasco said the Spanish club have been getting lots of support from Nigeria following the signing of Ejuke during the signing  of a partnership agreement  with the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Sources close to Kelechi Iheanacho have told SCORENigeria the Super Eagles striker had a chance to stay put at Leicester City, but he chose to reject a new offer by the promoted Premier League outfit.

“Leicester City offered an improved contract of about 20% to ‘Senior Man’, but he asked for more and when that was not forthcoming, he chose to move on,” disclosed the credible source.

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Iheanacho is now a free agent and has been linked with a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabia or Turkey.

The 27-year-old striker has a Transfermarkt valuation of 12M Euros.

According to Football Insider, Nottingham Forest have entered the race to secure a deal for Kelechi Iheanacho, formerly of Leicester City.

Iheanacho’s seven-year stint at the King Power Stadium has just come to an end, the Nigeria international contributing 61 goals and 34 assists from 232 appearances in all competitions.

The 27-year-old is now contemplating the next phase of his career, aware that he is not short of admirers who will be willing to acquire his services.

Forest are seemingly prepared to put their rivalry with Leicester aside to sign Iheanacho if the relevant parties can agree on personal terms.

Read Also: Leicester’s Ndidi, Iheanacho hold no fear for South Africa  

Leicester have recently shown that they were prepared to forget the past, appointing former Forest head coach Steve Cooper as their new head coach.

Last month, it was suggested that Villa were interested in bringing in Iheanacho as backup for Ollie Watkins.

That came at a time when Jhon Duran was being heavily linked with a switch to Chelsea, but that transfer has failed to come to fruition.

Leicester City midfielder  Wilfred Ndidi has revealed that he is not perturbed whether he gets the nod to play the game today against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier or not as the Super Eagles team comes first in all that he does.

Ndidi was forced  out of the 2023 AFCON  due to injury and his absence saw the inclusion of Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika who excelled in the defensive midfield position.

In his reaction, Ndidi pointed out that he was not in competition with any player in the Super Eagles team and that he will abide by the coach’s decision regarding whoever that is picked.

“For me the team comes first. I am not in competition with any player. The most important thing is what the team doing. The national team is like a barrack where soldiers go and come. Any player that is given an opportunity to play will always like to give his best. This is not time to talk about  there is pressure or competition for places in the team,” Ndidi disclosed.

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The stand-in skipper affirmed the Eagles readiness for the make or mar Qualifier with South Africa.

“Everybody is prepared just like the coach has said. The feeling in camp is amazing. Everyone is around now and the feeling is one directional  because we know what we ought to do. We will approach the game with all zeal and determination.”

Speaking in the same vein, Ndidi’s teammate at Leicester City has promised that the Super Eagles would be at their best to secure the maximum points against the visiting South Africans.

“The Super Eagles players know what it means to appear at the World Cup. It is not an easy task but we are ready to give our best to ensure that we qualify this time,” Iheanacho told journalists.

Kelechi  Iheanacho has sparked off a hot chase by Premier League clubs after he refused to renew his contract with newly promoted Leicester City.

According to popular sports publication, Football Insider, Iheanacho is now a target for Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

Read Also: Iheanacho picks up injury, doubtful for AFCON

His contract runs out next month and he e has rejected a contract extension from Leicester City, which means a move to Villa Park or Selhurst Park could be a prospect.

Iheanacho has not been involved at all for Leicester City in their last four games, after losing his position completely to veteran Jamie Vardy and Zambia star Patson Daka.

Turkish giants Trabzonspor are also interested in signing Iheanacho as a direct replacement for fellow Super Eagles star Paul Onuachu.

Super Eagles’ interim head coach Finidi George has disclosed that he expects the keen rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana to serve as extra motivation for his players to go all out for a win in today’s friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco.

George said he is confident the players will turn up against Ghana and secure the much needed victory at the end of the game.

Read Also: Iheanacho picks up injury, doubtful for AFCON

“The team is prepared. The players know what is at stake. The rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana is always there so it is an extra motivation for the players. We are good to go. We are going to have a good game tomorrow and hopefully God be on our side we will win it,” George  disclosed to NFF TV. “We are not changing much. We will only add a few element that we think will help the players. We will be very tactical and see how we can win the ball as quickly as possible.

“Definitely we want to win it and with the high spirits in camp I am sure they will do the needful.”

Meanwhile, George has hinted that he could pick between Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho as the captain for the two games with Ghana and Mali.