Kelechi Iheanacho scored for Sevilla in their 3-1 win at UE Olot in the second round of the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
It is Iheanacho’s third goal in the Copa del Rey for Sevilla.
The Super Eagles star netted a brace in Sevilla’s 3-0 win at Las Rozas in the first round in October.
The former Leicester City forward got on the score sheet in the 73rd minute to put his side 3-0 ahead.
The Spanish lower division club pulled a goal back in the 92nd minute.
Iheanacho is still waiting to open his account in the La Liga after playing seven games.
In Italy, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was in action for Lazio who defeated Napoli 3-1 in the Coppa Italia.
Dele-Bashiru, who was in the starting line-up was later taken off on 73 minutes.
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
8 Comments
Playing in the wrong position for years and struggling to be what you’re destined to be. Seeing this Kelechi playing as 9 is becoming a turn off after many years of advice to revert to what we know of him. This tells why he is good at scoring in cup games both at England and Spain but fail to hit same height at the main league when faced with better players with him playing as 9.
sheema E micheal
sharap dere! Idiot! so when is de last time he scored in any cup games whether in England or anywhere sef?? I blame the internet for giving fools like you access to vomit nosense on world wide web. Mumu!
@Chima, on current form, maybe Kele isn’t there yet, but this guy is one player I believe has so much to offer the Super Eagles, and I will wax a bit lyrical about him in this piece.
In the few matches I’ve seen him excel for the Super Eagles, he featured as a false nine or support striker. And I can tell you for free that in this role, Senior Man isn’t just a tactical idea—it’s an overdue footballing epiphany. Watching him operate close to a classic number nine is like watching a master chef add the perfect spice to an already simmering pot. It’s flavourful, it’s effective, and it’s exactly what the Super Eagles need in key moments to dominate on a big stage. A classic example is our first 2018 WC qualifying match against Zambia in Lusaka, and till this day, I still salivate over Kele’s cool finish, rounding up the keeper for what turned out to be the winning goal of the match.
First off, Iheanacho’s intelligence on the pitch is criminally underrated. No, he won’t win a 100m sprint against Usain Bolt or Osimhen for that matter, but who needs blistering pace when you’ve got the brain of a chess grandmaster? His positioning, movement, and timing are nothing short of a footballing symphony. As a false nine, he’s not just there to score (though he can); he’s there to orchestrate, to be the glue that binds midfield creativity with attacking ruthlessness.
On his good day, Kele’s ability to drop deep and link play is a nightmare for opposing defenders. When he pulls away from the last line of defense, he drags markers with him, opening up acres of space for our target man to exploit. That’s not just smart football; that’s advanced-level trolling of the highest order. His touches in those pockets of space are clean, his decision-making precise, and his passes often a delight for the eyes. You want someone to slip a perfectly weighted through ball into the box? Call Iheanacho. I still remember that beautiful pass to Moffi at the AFCON in January which almost earned a penalty kick. He’s like a sneaky assassin; you don’t see him coming, but when you do, it’s too late.
Give Kelechi a free kick, in his very good mood, and you’ll see him float a ball into the box with the finesse of an artist painting a masterpiece. His spectacular goal against Argentina in Krasnodar, Russia, in those days leading to 2018 world cup is still very fresh like the memory of my late mom. Or better still, let him have a go at goal—those powerful pile drivers he occasionally unleashes can make goalkeepers look like they’re diving into thin air. And for this, keen watcher of the Super Eagles will easily recall that powerful shot against Sallah and his men at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon that earned Nigeria her first victory in the competition.
I’ve noticed with keen interest that Iheanacho thrives when paired with a proper striker. Remember his partnership with Jamie Vardy at Leicester? It was like peanut butter and jelly—different, yet perfectly complementary. Vardy’s pace and directness meshed beautifully with Iheanacho’s vision and creativity, producing goals and wins. Why is it so hard for the Super Eagles to replicate this dynamic? Imagine Osimhen terrorizing defenders with his relentless runs while Iheanacho hovers just behind, picking passes and punishing mistakes. Under a coach who knows his onions, that would be a football poetry, a sumptuous piece of footballing emotion in motion. I guess we will need the services of Peter Durry to artistically capture such moments.
We’ve seen this system work wonders before. At the 2013 U-17 World Cup, Iheanacho wasn’t the lone goal-getter; he was the architect-in-chief, setting up Taiwo Awoniyi and Success Isaac with precision passes that would make Pirlo blush. Funny enough, he was scoring too, and in fact ended the competition as the highest goal scorer. Fast forward to Leicester’s FA Cup-winning run in 2021, and you see him doing the same thing—creating, assisting, and occasionally banging in screamers when given the space. The man is versatile, unpredictable, and technically gifted. We need him fully back in shape for the Super Eagles to be honest! It’s not the high-flying Iheanacho we saw tearing up Premier League defenses we see now. Injuries, new environment, inconsistent game time, and perhaps some tactical misuse have taken their toll. But i pray he hits that great form again because thats when everything i’ve raised here becomes not just theory but footballing reality. It’s up to the coaching team too to reignite that fire and ensure he’s deployed in his most effective role.
I’ve got my fears though. like many other Super Eagles stars, Iheanacho has often been played out of position, leaving him looking average and unproductive. He’s not a winger, and yet we’ve seen him shoved out wide, chasing shadows and looking lost. It’s a classic case of square pegs in round holes—a recurring problem in the Super Eagles setup. The same fate has befallen players like Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi at different points. When you don’t let players play to their strengths, you can’t blame them for underperforming.
And let’s not forget: Iheanacho is missed by different Nigerian fans for a reason. His creativity and vision are unique in this team. People remember his moments of brilliance and wonder why we don’t see more of them. The answer is simple: he needs consistency, proper management, and the right tactical setup to flourish.
Kele gives us that tactical flexibility because more often than not, defenders are used to dealing with one main striker like Osimhen. Throw in Iheanacho as a support act, and they’re forced to make split-second decisions: do they track the target man or follow Kelechi into midfield? Spoiler alert: they usually fail to do either effectively, and we score!
So, dear NFF and whoever’s listening: give Iheanacho a defined role when he’s fully fully back to form as a false nine or support striker. Pair him with a top-class number nine like Osimhen, and let’s watch the magic unfold. Because when it comes to unlocking defenses and orchestrating attacks, Kelechi Iheanacho isn’t just good—he’s essential. All we need is a coach who understands that. Let’s stop wasting talent and start winning big.
This is a good write up. Thumbs up.
Papafem
Yuh usually write good tings but dis time yuh let yoursel down mr man. Pls leave matter!
Yuh usually write good tings but dis time yuh let yoursel down mr man. Pls leave matter!
@Yabaoh my guy, lol.
We don’t have to agree all the time, you know.
If only you know how highly I rate Kele and do strongly feel he’s punching below his weight. I just hope he regains his form. He’s the only player in he current setup that can really support our target man in certain formations for great results. We can only wait and hope for the best. Happy weekend, bro.
If he were igbo man you would have painted him with abuse bigot!!