Iheanacho scores to mark birthday

Nigeria international, Kelechi Iheanacho, found the net on his 25th birthday as Leicester City settled for a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in Sunday’s Premier League outing.

He became the third Nigerian after Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (2004) and Obafemi Martins (2008) to score in the Premier League on their birthday.

Against the Eagles, Iheanacho, was handed his first English elite division start of the 2021-22 campaign, partnering Jamie Vardy in a 4-4-2 formation.

To justify his inclusion in Brendan Rodgers’ line-up, the former Manchester City prodigy put the Foxes ahead in the 31st minute at Selhurst Park.

Iheanacho pounced on a heavy touch by Denmark international defender Joachim Andersen, headed for goal before slotting it into the bottom left corner of goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

While the hosts were still trying to recover from the setback, Leicester doubled their advantage six minutes later through Vardy after he was teed up by Harvey Barnes.

In the second half, Patrick Vieira’s men stepped up their game to reduce the deficit through super-sub Michael Olise.

With his shot off Tyrick Mitchell’s cross initially blocked, the 19-year-old winger of Nigerian descent smashed home the rebound past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The Eagles completed their comeback 11 minutes later through another substitute, Jeffrey Schlupp. A minute after replacing Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher, the Ghana international headed home from close range.

Iheanacho was replaced in the 71st minute by James Maddison while Senegal prospect Boubakary Soumare came in for Hamza Choudhury on the hour mark.

For Palace, Wilfried Zaha – who was making his 401st appearance for the club was in action from start to finish, with Jordan Ayew coming off for Olise.

Regardless of the result, Iheanacho’s goal is a warning signal to the Central African Republic ahead of this month’s double-header 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Iheanacho is expected in Lagos anytime from now ahead of Thursday’s clash with the Wild Beasts at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, while Gernot Rohr’s squad face Raoul Savoy’s team in a return leg tie in Cameroon on October 10.