Former Nigeria International Expects ‘Fantastic’ Forgotten Star To Make Super Eagles Return

After a superb goalscoring return to the Foxes side that claimed a comeback win over Everton at the weekend, embattled Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has been backed to earn his place back in Gernot Rohr’s side.

Former Nigeria international, Garba Lawal, has expressed his delight at seeing Kelechi Iheanacho back in Brendan Rodgers’ favour at the King Power Stadium.

Iheanacho was introduced on the hour mark with Leicester City trailing Alex Iwobi’s Everton and moments later supplied the assist to Jamie Vardy’s equalizer. Deep into injury time, the former Manchester City forward then curled home a superb winner to hand the Foxes all the three points on offer.

The Everton game was Iheanacho’s first league game of the 14-match-day-old season, an ugly situation that deprived him of a chance to be a part of the Super Eagles squad to the 2019 AFCON. The former U17 World Cup winner was also not invited when Nigeria kicked off her 2021 AFCON qualifying campaign with two straightforward victories over Benin and Lesotho.

Garba Lawal however believes that the striker’s return to form should put him back in reckoning with the national team.

“It is fantastic to have him back in the Leicester team after being overlooked due to loss of form. His position is a very difficult one, especially playing in a striking role and you are not scoring,” Garba Lawal told the Guardian Nigeria as monitored by Soccernet.ng.

“But now that he is playing and scoring, I hope he maintains the rhythm, and strive to impose himself on the team at Leicester City for more opportunities.

“Iheanacho has always been part of the Super Eagles until his loss of form due to his inability to command a regular shirt at his club. So, it won’t be news if he is called back to the Super Eagles again.

“The most important thing is for him to continue to work hard as he showed against Everton. And he also attributed this to hard work in training and that he will keep his head up for more opportunities to prove himself,” Lawal concluded.