TVC E. Kelechi Zeal Iheanacho the 19-year-old forward scored twice on Sunday and his teammates literally ignored his celebrations on both occasions. It is not the first time this has happened this season – if Iheanacho hasn’t noticed, hasn’t any of his friends?
With hosts Southampton leading by two goals on Sunday, Iheanacho cashed in on a mix-up in the opposition’s 18-yard box to glance a header past Fraser Foster in goal.
For that one goal, Southampton replied with two more to set City facing a quite humiliating defeat. But with 12 minutes remaining, Iheanacho received a pass on the edge of the box and curled in a beauty behind Forster.
With scores 4-2, many other players would have grabbed the ball and dashed towards the centre circle for a quick restart of the game, but Iheanacho opted to celebrate, sinking into the ground and pointing his two hands into the air – perhaps thanking Jesus Christ, although he didn’t acknowledge Jesus Navas, his teammate who passed him the ball. Incidentally, while all nine other teammates ignored him, it was the only latter Jesus who advanced towards him to pull him up and offer him a hand shake.
Iheanacho celebrating alone after scoring the first goal against Stoke
Exactly the same scenario played out on April 23, when the left-footed forward scored twice in a 4-nil rout of Stoke City.
Making a rare start in the Premier League, the Super Eagle, who now averages a goal every 94 minutes, scored his first of the day in the 64th minute when, following good work by Zabaleta, he tapped easily into the net.
He grabbed his brace 10 minutes later. Played in by Wilfried Bony, Iheanacho’s first touch took the ball beyond two Stoke defenders, and he went on to round Haugaard and slot into the net.
For both goals, Iheanacho celebrated without acknowledging his suppliers, Zabaleta and Bony, and his teammates ignored him as well.
Time has come for someone to tell Iheanacho, scorer of eight goals in his last five league appearances, to first acknowledge assist-rendering teammates whenever he puts the ball into the net, else even Jesus (Navas) himself may choose not to celebrate with him next time.
