Iheanacho Ranks Top Among EPL’s Most Frequent 90th Minute Substitutes

Leicester City of England attacker, Kelechi Iheanacho has been cited with an unwanted record as the player with the highest number of substitute appearances in the 9thg minute of after duration matches of the English Premier League.

Megasportsarena.com repors that, with Iheanacho having played bit-part roles with Manchester City before joining Leicester, the product of Taye Football Academy of Umuahia has not been able to shake off the underachievers’ tag at King Power Stadium.

Consequently, statistics provided by globally acclaimed site, OPTA has now revealed that the UAE 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup gold medalist and most valuable player leads the way for most 90th minute substitute appearances in the EPL’s history.

The latest rating comes few days after Iheanacho returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and the left-footed star disclosed that he has shifted his focus back to club action.

Heading into Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Nottingham Forest, the former Columbus Crew of America ace, who has 20 appearances in the FA Cup and 14 goals, including four last season when The Foxes won the competition, revealed his sheer delight

Iheanacho told LCFC TV: “I’m happy to be back; now I need to focus on the club duties. I’m happy to be back and into games straight away.”

A report by allnigeriasoccer.com added: “The Super Eagles star has made twelve appearances off the bench in the last minute of the game to place first ahead of Peter Crouch (11) and retired Nigeria international Shola Ameobi (10).

“Iheanacho has totaled 156 appearances combined for two different Premier League clubs Manchester City and Leicester City, of which 62 were starts and he was substituted in on 94 occasions.

“The Taye Academy product was included in matchday squads 215 times and was an unused substitute on 59 occasions.

“Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola introduced him off the bench in the 90th minute six times, Brendan Rodgers three times, Claude Puel twice and Mike Stowell once.

“Iheanacho has made the most substitute appearances in the 90th minute against Liverpool and Southampton (twice each).

“His other 90th minute appearance came against Watford, Crystal Palace, Leicester City (2015-16), Middlesbrough (2016-17), Everton (2017-18), Brighton & Hove, Bournemouth and Huddersfield Town (2018-19).

“The 2013 U17 World Cup winner has scored once after coming off the bench in the 90th minute, against Palace on September 12, 2015.”