Ndidi Returns, Iheanacho Leads Foxes Attack As Zorya Stun Leicester City

The Nigerian forward combined with his compatriot who made his comeback from an injury layoff 

Wilfred Ndidi featured for nearly an hour in his first game in three months as Leicester City fell to a surprise 1-0 loss at Zorya in a Europa League tie on Thursday night.

Allahyar Sayyadmanesh’s effort six minutes from time condemned Brendan Rodgers’ men to their first defeat on the continent this season. 

Wilfred Ndidi made a pleasant return to the pitch, having been sidelined from action since September.

The 23-year-old has only featured in two Premier League games for the King Power Stadium outfit in the 2020-21 season, missing their previous 13 games.

Ndidi was in the starting eleven against the Ukrainian side, though, with Kelechi Iheanacho leading the attack for the English Premier League side.

The former Manchester City forward, though, could not add to his three goals in the competition as Brendan Rodgers men lacked the cutting edge against Group G’s basement side. 

Midfielder Nampalys Mendy replaced Ndidi in the 56th-minute, as the Foxes look to gradually ease the Super Eagles star back into competitive action.

But with the game seemingly heading towards a stalemate, Sayyadmanesh broke the Foxes’ hearts with a late finish. 

Despite the away defeat, Leicester City retain top spot in the group standing, level on points with second-placed Braga, who claimed a 4-2 win at AEK Athens also on Thursday.

With four points separating the Foxes from third-placed Zorya, the EPL club is assured of a place in the Europa League’s knockout rounds regardless of the outcome of their last group match next week.