England cups: Iheanacho, the go-to man for goals
Kelechi Iheanacho could prove a major asset in this Carabao Cup quarter-final against Newcastle on Tuesday 10 January.
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Sixteen (16). That is the number of career FA Cup goals scored by Kelechi Iheanacho. That makes him, incidentally, the competition's "top scorer" since his debut in it in 2016. Better still, Iheanacho is also a player who loves England's other cup: the Carabao Cup. In that competition too, he has netted nine goals in twenty-one appearances since his debut in October 2015. So England's domestic cups clearly suit the Super Eagle. Against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday 10 January, Iheanacho is therefore expected to keep the tradition going.
Ahead of the game against the Magpies, he spoke about Leicester City's ambitions in this Carabao Cup. He won the competition as a Manchester City player in his first full season as a professional. Tonight, Iheanacho is also looking to get revenge on Newcastle United at St James Park.
16 - Since his first appearance in the competition in January 2016, Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho has scored more FA Cup goals than any other player (16). Specialist. pic.twitter.com/SYt7nVuTtP
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 7, 2023
The two clubs meet again a fortnight after a convincing 3-0 win for the Magpies over the Foxes in the Premier League at the King Power Stadium. And Iheanacho still has a bitter taste from that defeat. “It's a big competition, the cup. Playing them now, it's obviously time to get our own back because they beat us in (the Premier League)”, says the Nigerian striker.
Brendan Rodgers' side are aiming to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time in three years. And they can count on a revenge-minded Iheanacho. “We're going there (to Newcastle) to fight and make sure we get the win. It will be a tough game for us, but I hope we can come through it”, Iheanacho adds. “They (Newcastle) are very different now (in the way they play). Their manager (Eddie Howe) is doing an excellent job and so are the players. It's a very, very strong team, so we have to play well”, the striker sums up.
Jim CEESAY