Kelechi Iheanacho Issues Benin, Lesotho Warning With A Brace And An Assist Against Manchester United

The Nigerian international was too hot to handle for the Red Devils as he messages his preparedness for the Super Eagles crucial clashes against the Squirrels and Crocodiles

Barely a week after netting his first hat-trick in the Premier League for the Foxes, Kelechi Iheanacho was at it again, contributing all the three goals that helped Leicester City advance to the FA Cup semifinals with a 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Head coach Brendan Rodgers seemed to have found a winning formula, and he stuck to it, starting Iheanacho upfront to partner Jamie Vardy against the Red Devils at the King Power Stadium.

And the Super Eagles forward repaid his manager’s faith when he capitalised on Fred’s poor pass to slot home the opener in the 24th minute of the encounter.

But Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s men were also on a high, having advanced to the Europa League round of 16 a few days ago with a fine away victory at AC Milan.

And the visitors responded well to falling behind, cranking up the pressure until Paul Pogba found the pass to set up Mason Greenwood for the equaliser moments before the halftime break.

But Iheanacho was not done yet, and the in-form forward provided the assist for Youri Tielemans to restore the Foxes lead seven minutes into the second half. 

Still, the ‘Kelechi Iheanacho show’ was far from over, and the one-time FIFA U-17 World Cup winner headed home his second – and Leicester City’s third – 12 minutes from time off a fine Marc Albrighton cross.

It is the perfect time for the Nigerian to emerge from the towering shadows of English striker Jamie Vardy.

With Genk’s Paul Onuachu not enjoying much favour from Gernot Rohr and Almeria’s Umar Sadiq replaced by NPFL winger Anayo Iwuala, Iheanacho could be the man Rohr task with leading the Super Eagles’ attack alongside Victor Osimhen against the Benin Republic and Lesotho next week.

Iheanacho conjuring up a man-of-the-match display against the Red Devils should make the Squirrels and Crocodiles genuinely worried about the kind of form the former Manchester City ace has exhibited of late.

Iheanacho has now scored in each of his last four games for Leicester City, finding the back of the net seven times.