The two sides met in the season’s curtain-raiser, but it’s the FA Cup winners that earned a shock win thanks to their Nigerian import
Kelechi Iheanaco scored the only goal as Leicester City stunned Manchester City at Wembley to win the 2021 Community Shield.
The Super Eagles star scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to hand last season’s FA Cup winners the win against the Premier League champions.
There were four Nigerians at England’s national stadium on Saturday evening, and they all gave a brilliant performance.
While three of them were involved in the action, the other played a major role just before kickoff. Nigerian-born British singer Eckoes had the honour of singing ‘God save the Queen’ before the action started.
The match started with a Nigerian in both of the teams starting lineups. Wilfred Ndidi featured for Leicester City while British-born Nigerian youngster Samuel Edozie was in City’s XI.
Man City dominated possession in the early stages, but it was the Foxes that came close to scoring, with Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes threatening City’s defence.
City’s first real chance of the match came midway through the match. Ndidi was dispossessed in his half, which allowed Ilkay Gundogan to release Edozie, but the youngster could not hit the target.
Leicester came close to scoring a minute before the break, but Vardy’s low volley was pushed onto the post by Zack Steffen.
Both sides could not be separated at half-time. City started on the front foot after the break, but the Foxes were also dangerous on the break.
With the game heading towards a shootout, Leicester City’s manager Brendan Rodgers brought on Iheanacho for Ayoze Perez in the 79th minute.
The Super Eagles star then turned out to be his side’s hero as he fired home a penalty after he was upended in the box by Nathan Ake.
Iheanacho celebrated by apologising to the City fans, having played for the club for three years. But The Nigerian international celebrated with his teammates at full-time as Leicester sent out a statement to the rest of the Premier League.
