By Victor Kanayo
Under pressure Leicester City have qualified for the fourth round of this season’s FA Cup after grinding out 1-0 victory against League two strugglers Gillingham on Saturday January 7, 2023.
It was the lone goal from Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho’s in the 56th minute that made the difference at the Priestfield Stadium in Kent.
The Foxes have been poor runs of results in the English Premier League and required a break of form which finally came on Saturday afternoon.
Playing away to Gillingham in the 3rd round of the Emirates FA Cup, Nigeria International, Iheanacho proved his mettle again as he netted the only goal of the game.
After a scoreless first half, Iheanacho decided the game off an assist from former England International Jamie Vardy.
Another Super Eagles player Wilfred Ndidi was introduced into the game in the 81st minute as Leicester City secured a 0-1 victory.
The win sees relief for Rodgers, who’s side had lost their last three Premier league fixtures and are also billed to play in-form Newcastle United who held leaders Arsenal to a goalless draw on Tuesday.
The goal was the 16th scored by Iheanacho in 22 appearances in the competition.
Another Nigerian International Joe Aribo was on parade as his Southampton came from behind to defeat better-rated Crystal Palace 2-1 in their FA Cup encounter.
Since his first appearance in the competition in January 2016, Iheanacho has scored more FA Cup goals than any other player.
It is a positive result for the saints who are bottom of the log in the Premier league and are without a win in their last seven league games.
It was a different outcome for Nottingham Forest, beaten 4-1 by a Championship side Blackpool same day in the Cup competition.
A Nigerian Taiwo Awoniyi plays for the Forest but didn’t feature for his club during the third round action.
