FA Cup : Iheanacho top scorer since 2016; Ekpiteta; Akpom, Solanke, Omochere also find the net

Allnigeriasoccer.com's round-up of players of Nigerian descent on target for their respective clubs in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, January 7.

 
At Priestfield Stadium, Kelechi Iheanacho continued his love story with the FA Cup by netting the game-winning goal for Leicester City in a 1-0 win over League Two club Gillingham.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Super Eagles striker was in the right place to slot home after he was found by strike partner Jamie Vardy. 

According to the statisticians at OPTA, Iheanacho has scored more goals than any other player, sixteen in total from 22 matches, since debuting in the competition against Norwich City on January 9, 2016 while wearing the colors of Manchester City. 

At the Riverside Stadium, Chuba Akpom continued his rich vein of form but his goal counted for nothing with Middlesbrough losing 5-1 to Premier League opponents Brighton & Hove. 

Akpom's header beat goalkeeper Jason Steele via a touch off the post in the 13th minute, taking his tally this season to 14 in all competitions. 

Former Chelsea and Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke scored Bournemouth's second goal in their 4-2 defeat suffered at the hands of Nathan Tella's Burnley at the Vitality Stadium. 

Three minutes into the second half, the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup winner pounced on the rebound and slotted it home after his initial effort was saved. 

Elsewhere, former Nigeria U20 international Marvin Ekpiteta helped Blackpool seal passage to the fourth round, scoring for the Seasiders in a 4-1 rout of Emmanuel Dennis' Nottingham Forest at Bloomfield Road.

Ekpiteta opened the scoring from close range in the 17th minute after a scramble in the box. 

League One outfit Fleetwood Town are also through to the next round after a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers at Highbury Stadium. 

Promise Omochere took control of the ball and fired past goalkeeper Dieng in the 67th minute for what proved to be the match-winning goal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : lcfc.com

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