Moses came to life at Chelsea, Mikel struck gold… how Super Eagles stars fared in 2016

KELECHI IHEANACHO

Kelechi Iheanacho is the golden boy of Manchester City, but he very vital for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. All the times he was called upon by both club and country, he delivered, forming a sweet partnership with his colleagues and helping to reignite the belief among Nigerians that a Russia 2018 World Cup place is now feasible.

Iheanacho announced his presence for Nigeria in the friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg in May 2016. He scored in the two games and provided an assist.

He was invited to make his competitive debut against Egypt in an African Cup of Nations qualifying series, where he also provided an assist for Oghenekaro Etebo ‎i‎n the home game.

Despite the change made in the coaching personnel in August this year, he distinguished himself again as one of the most important players in the team when he scored two super goals in the two matches against Tanzania in Uyo and Zambia in Ndola. His position at a starter for the Super Eagles has been sacrosanct since then.

He was expected to struggle in City’s star-studded team, but he hasn’t. On September 10, 2016, he started in the Manchester Derby,  recording an assist and his first goal of the season in the 2–1 win. Four days later, on September 14, 2016, Iheanacho came off the bench to score the final goal in City’s 4–0 home win in the Champions League, against Borussia Monchengladbach.

This was his first European goal for Manchester City. Three days after the 4–0 win, he once again scored the second goal, also assisting the third, in City’s game against AFC Bournemouth. ‎His goal against AFC Bournemouth took his goal tally in the Premier League to 10, allowing him to join an exclusive list of players to have scored 10 Premier League goals before the age of 20. This list includes world-class talents such as Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Owen and Romelu Lukaku. ‎

Iheanacho scored his fourth goal of the season against Southampton in the Premier League in a 1–1 home draw on 23rd October 2016. In October 2016, he was nominated for the FIFA ‎‎Golden Boy award, which was eventually won by Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches‎. Previous winners of the award include team-mates Raheem Sterling‎ and Sergio Aguero, and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.