AT A GLANCE: Okocha, Osaze… Nigerians who have won EPL player of the month award

Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester City forward, won the English Premier League (EPL) player of the month (POTM) award on Friday.

The 24-year-old became the fourth Nigerian player to have won the prestigious prize which was introduced in the 1994/95 EPL season.

In March, the Super Eagles striker scored five goals in three league appearances and a total of seven goals across all competitions for the Foxes.

“Senior man”, as he is popularly called, netted against Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, and then rounded off with a hattrick against Sheffield United at the King Power Stadium.

In the FA Cup quarter-final stage, the former Golden Eaglet also put two goals past Manchester United to dump them out of the competition.

To secure the prize, Iheanacho saw off competition from Harry Kane, Riyad Mahrez, and Luke Shaw of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Manchester United respectively.

Below is a timeline of Nigerian players who have won the EPL player of the month award:

• Okocha was the first-ever Nigerian to be voted EPL player of the month in November 2003. The Enugu-born skillful playmaker was a nightmare to the opponents due to his trickery with the ball, technique, creativity, flair, close control.

• Seven years after Okocha’s POTM award, Osaze Odemwingie became the second Nigerian to claim the prize while plying his trade with West Brom. The ex-Super Eagles forward achieved the feat on three different occasions in 2010, 2011, and 2012 respectively due to his goalscoring prowess.

• In December 2015, Odion Ighalo won the award during his time with Watford — making him the third Nigerian to do so.

• Iheanacho won the gong on Friday to become the fourth Nigerian to snag the prize.