Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Leicester City and Nigerian striker, Kelechi Iheanacho’s brilliant form in March has seen him named as the Premier League’s EA SPORTS Player of the Month.
The Nigerian international scored five goals last month, including the equaliser against Brighton & Hove Albion, a stunning volley away at Burnley, which was in contention for the Budweiser Goal of the Month award, and a hat-trick in City’s 5-0 win against Sheffield United at King Power Stadium.
The 24-year-old joins Jay-Jay Okocha, Peter Odemwingie and Odion Ighalo as the fourth Nigerian player to win the monthly prize after he scored five goals in three matches in the month under review.
It is also the first individual honour the Super Eagles forward has clinched in the English top-flight since he made his debut appearance against Watford in August 2015.
Iheanacho saw off competition from Manchester City’s Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, West Ham United’s Jesse Lingard, Leeds United’s Illan Meslier, Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Leandro Trossard and Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen.
Speaking on his recognition, Iheanacho said: “I’m so pleased and honoured to win this award. It’s great to be recognised, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team-mates and the manager.
“I’m really enjoying playing at the minute and hopefully I can push on and help the team to finish as high as possible this season.”
He is the first player to win the award for the Foxes since Jamie Vardy won it last in October 2019.
With six goals in 16 Premier League matches so far, the Nigerian star will be expected to continue his form when the Foxes host his former club Manchester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, April 3.
In addition, the forward was instrumental in Nigeria’s qualification for the African Cup of Nation scheduled for Cameroon next year providing an assist for Victor Osimhen’s goal in the final game against Lesotho, which the Super Eagles won 3-0.
Meanwhile, Chelsea coach, Thomas Tuchel, who managed an unbeaten run of two wins and a draw with three clean sheets in three matches, was named the Premier League Manager of the Month for March.
