Former Golden Eaglets’ midfielder, Kelechi Iheanacho, has opened his goal account at Manchester City as the Premier League champions started the US tour in style with a 4-1 win over MLS champions, Sporting Kansas City.
The Nigerian youngster, who has been training with City over the past few weeks, capped his impressive debut with a goal on full-time with Jesus Navas as the provider.
Iheanacho sealed Man City’s deal after assisting Nigeria to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates in 2013.
The whiz kid was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Man City couldn’t have asked for a better start on at Sporting Park with a goal inside three minutes from Argentine midfielder, Bruno Zuculini, who struck the ball home from 20 yards out to give the KC keeper no chance.
The hosts equalised later in the half when CJ Sapong converted from close range as the match ebbed and flowed, played out in front of an enthusiastic capacity crowd.
The Blues could have been a couple of goals clear by that point but for half-chances missed by Stevan Jovetic and Scott Sinclair.
The sharpness in front of goal will return though as pre-season continues across the Atlantic.
City regained the lead on half-time when Dedryck Boyata headed home Jesus Navas’ superb cross and the Blues kicked on again after the break.
Though Sporting KC could have drawn level a couple of times only to be denied by a mixture of poor finishing and good goal-keeping by Willy Caballero, it was City who turned the screw with two more goals in the closing stages.
First Sinclair was brought down in the box and Aleks Kolarov buried the penalty kick to make it 3-1, just as Iheanacho scored the final goal of the tie.
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