Three Nigerians could be involved on Saturday afternoon as last season’s two most successful clubs in England face each other for the first honour this campaign
Leicester City will be counting on the Super Eagles duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi when they face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday.
The Foxes earned a place in the season opener following their triumph in the FA Cup in May. Iheanacho didn’t score in the Wembley final against Chelsea, but the 24-year-old was crucial to the Foxes’ successful run to the cup decider scoring four goals and supplying one assist in five matches.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has found a way to pair the Nigerian striker with livewire forward Jamie Vardy, and both could cause Pep Guardiola’s side a ton of trouble today.
It’s rare to see Ndidi have a bad game for the Foxes, and the midfield dynamo’s input would be crucial if Leicester City are to claim their first Community Shield since 1971.
Manchester City, though, are still the team to beat in England, and the Citizens showed they are not thinking of slowing down with the £100 million signing of Jack Grealish on Thursday.
But the Premier League champions could be weakened with the departure of Sergio Aguero and the unavailability of several stars due to the extended holidays.
Zack Steffen is expected to start between the sticks, and Guardiola is rumoured to be considering a front three of Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, and Samuel Ikechukwu Edozie.
18-year-old Edozie has been a breath of fresh air for the Citizens during the preseason, with the youngster scoring in all three of their friendly matches.
An England youth international of Nigerian descent, Edozie started City’s last two games against Barnsley and Blackpool and netted the openers in both wins. And the exciting teenager could be Guardiola’s secret weapon to shoot down the confident Foxes.
Whichever team wins, Nigerian fans will have something to cheer as two of England’s best square up with contrasting styles of football.
