Iheanacho: It was too cold for extra-time, my goal saved everyone!

NIGERIA forward Kelechi Iheanacho sent Leicester City to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Wednesday night and gave a cheeky interview afterwards.

The Super Eagles star came on as a 62nd minute substitute for Jamie Vardy to score the only goal in the 1-0 fifth round win over Brighton at the King Power Stadium.

Iheanacho scored with a powerful header deep into injury time and prevented the match from going into 30 minutes of extra-time.

“I’m really happy, everyone is smiling,” he said in an LCFCTV video. “It’s too cold, so everyone wants to get warm. I’m glad I got the goal within 90 minutes.”

The conditions were so extreme that Iheanacho’s goal rescued everyone at the stadium from further suffering.

“It’s so cold, this kind of game,” the former Manchester City forward added with a smile.

“It’s one of those games and it’s really freezing for those playing and those on the bench so when I scored everybody in the stands was happy since they wanted to get inside and go home. 

“It’s a fantastic game and we’re looking forward to the next round.

“Everyone in the dressing room is smiling, saying I saved them from the cold and all that. But the most important thing is that we got through to the next round.”

When asked if he expected to get playing time with Vardy back from injury, Iheanacho replied: “I didn’t really know. The manager called me and I was ready. I came in and helped the team and got the win, so I’m happy.”

Leicester City won their first ever top division league title in 2016 but have never won the FA Cup.

Iheanacho knows what it will mean to the fans if they go all the way this season.

He said: “It will be a dream, most especially for the fans of the club. They’ve been waiting so many years for this, so hopefully we can do it this season.”

The goal is Iheanacho’s fifth in 22 matches in all competitions this season, although most of his appearances have been as a substitute.