Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers, refused to blame Nigerian striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, for missing goal-scoring chances in their 1-0 loss to Southampton on Saturday.
The East Midlands side’s 2022/23 season campaign has not gone well as they have only won seven games this season and have lost an additional fifteen.
Their attempt to claw back from their bad form against Ruben Selles’ side was thwarted once again as Carlos Alcaraz gave Southampton the lead after 35 minutes, smashing a shot past Leicester keeper Danny Ward.
Rodger’s side consistently had the best opportunities to tie the score, with Super Eagles forward Iheanacho heading three exquisite crosses off goal in the first half.
Midway through the second half, the 25-year-old was given another chance after intercepting a ball from Irish goalie Gavin Bazunu. But the former Manchester City player’s raised attempt went wide.
Iheanacho faces criticism after missed chances
Leicester’s performance attracted criticism from English pundits, Gary Linekar and Ian Wright with Iheanacho mentioned for wasting most of the chances.
“Leicester only had themselves to blame. So profligate in front of goal,” Linekar tweeted after the game.
“You can’t miss the chances I saw. This header (from Iheanacho), I don’t know what to say. It’s such a poor header. The next one (Iheanacho), just head it back where it came from,” Wright added.
In response to the Super Eagles attacker’s efforts, the former Swansea City boss showered praise on him in a post-game interview and claimed that he had been a menace to their opponents.
“He’s been brilliant for us of late. He’s been the one who looks like the threat. He kept fighting and kept working. He had two really good headers but couldn’t make the finish. The opportunity on the edge of the box, we’ve seen him score those recently, where he guides it into the corner. At least he was there to miss it,” he told Leicester Mercury.
Leicester are now sitting three points above the relegation zone in 15th place with 24 points from 25 matches.
Osimhen motivates teammates after Lazio setback
Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, was left with the task of motivating his Napoli teammates after they suffered their first home defeat of the 2022/23 season in the Serie A.
The Partenopei had won eight consecutive games at home before losing 1-0 to Lazio who were led by their former manager Maurizio Sarri.
The league leaders had not lost at home in the Italian top flight since April 2022, when they lost to Fiorentina, although their Copa Italia loss to Cremonese on penalties came at home.
Osimhen came close to scoring the equalizer but his header rattled off the woodwork and bounced to safety.
“Lazio defended well, were fortunate on the crossbar. On a good day, that (Osimhen’s effort) should have gone in. The goalkeeper also made a great save,” Spaletti said.
According to publications in Italy, Osimhen gave a brief speech to the team after the game.
The striker invited everyone to be more reactive and energetic in some situations, but at the same time he conveyed confidence in the locker room regarding a prompt redemption in the next match against Atalanta. The locker room remains serene and compact.
The defeat ended a run of eight consecutive Serie A victories for Napoli, the last four without conceding a single goal.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago