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KELECHI Iheanacho’s 89th minute strike helped Leicester City win their first Community Shield trophy in 50 years as the Foxes beat Premier League champions, Manchester City, 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday.
The Nigeria international was brought on for Harvey Barnes in the 79th minutes and got on the scoresheet 10 minutes after as he confidently despatched a late penalty after he was brought down by Nathan Ake.
The meeting of last season’s Premier League champions and FA Cup winners was absorbing in parts and looked to be heading for penalties, but Iheanacho struck from the spot into the top corner with a minute remaining.
The Foxes last won the the traditional pre-season curtain-raiser title exactly 50 years agao, August 7, 1971, when they beat Liverpool 1-0.
Brendan Rogers’ side victory against the Citizens means the number of Nigerian players to have won the prestigious English FA Community Shield has now increased to nine with Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi joining a host of Super Eagles stars like Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro, Mikel Obi and Alex Iwobi who have all won the title.
City’s record £100m signing Jack Grealish was given his debut on 65 minutes, but he could not muster a clear-cut opportunity for a much-changed team.
Leicester’s Fofana suffers broken leg
Ilkay Gundogan saw an arrowed free-kick superbly tipped over the crossbar by Kasper Schmeichel and the German midfielder also blazed over a first-time effort from 10 yards out.
Striker Jamie Vardy was bright for Leicester but could not find a way past City goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who made a stunning reaction save to deny the Englishman.
Leicester begin their Premier League campaign against Wolves on August 14.
