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Rodgers defends Iheanacho

By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 6, 2023

Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers, refused to blame Nigerian striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, for missing goal-scoring chances in their 1-0 loss to Southampton on Saturday.

The East Midlands side’s 2022/23 season campaign has not gone well as they have only won seven games this season and have lost an additional fifteen.

Their attempt to claw back from their bad form against Ruben Selles’ side was thwarted once again as Carlos Alcaraz gave Southampton the lead after 35 minutes, smashing a shot past Leicester keeper Danny Ward.

Rodger’s team consistently had the best opportunities to tie the score, with Super Eagles forward Iheanacho heading three exquisite crosses off goal in the first half.

Midway through the second half, the 25-year-old was given another chance after intercepting a ball from Irish goalie Gavin Bazunu. But the former Manchester City player’s raised attempt went wide.

Leicester’s performance attracted criticism from English pundits, Gary Linekar and Ian Wright with Iheanacho mentioned for wasting most of the chances.

“Leicester only had themselves to blame. So profligate in front of goal,” Linekar tweeted after the game.

“You can’t miss the chances I saw. This header (from Iheanacho), I don’t know what to say. It’s such a poor header. The next one (Iheanacho), just head it back where it came from,” Wright added.

In response to the Super Eagles attacker’s efforts, the former Swansea City boss showered praise on him in a post-game interview and claimed that he had been a menace to their opponents.

“He’s been brilliant for us of late. He’s been the one who looks like the threat. He kept fighting and kept working. He had two really good headers but couldn’t make the finish. The opportunity on the edge of the box, we’ve seen him score those recently, where he guides it into the corner. At least he was there to miss it,” he told Leicester Mercury.

Leicester are now sitting three points above the relegation zone in 15th place with 24 points from 25 matches.

Source Punch Ng

Posted March 6, 2023