Leicester City were on Saturday officially crowned winners of the 2023/24 English Championship with their Nigerian duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi joining in the celebrations.
Despite losing their final game of the season at home to Blackburn, it was a celebration galore at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes won the Championship with 97 points from 46 games, a point ahead of second-placed Ipswich, who were also promoted to the Premier League.
Leicester’s immediate promotion to the Premier League will gladden the hearts of their Nigerian players after going down last season.
Iheanacho and Ndidi kept faith with the team as they went down, even though there were rumblings from a few quarters about why the Super Eagles stars, who had offers, elected to stay and play in the Championship.
That move has now yielded dividends as Leicester have won promotion back to the Premier League, winning 34 games, drawing 4, and losing 11 to put them in first place.
How did Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi perform this season for Leicester City?
The Nigerians contributed positively to Leicester’s title and promotion push this season despite a few setbacks.
Ndidi has been the most impressive among the duo as he chipped in with six goals and six assists in all competitions for the Foxes despite missing 14 games due to injuries.
Leicester coach Enzo Maresca has played Ndidi in a more advanced role in midfield, which has seen him rake in the unusual numbers.
For Kelechi Iheanacho, he has not had a great season by his standards as he didn’t get as many games as he would have wanted.
With competition from Patson Daka and Jamie Vardy, the former Manchester City man has not had a lot of game time.
He managed to play 26 games this season in all competitions for Leicester, scoring five goals and providing six assists.
What next for Iheanacho and Ndidi at Leicester City?
With both players out of contract at the end of the season, there have been rumors swirling around as to where the two Super Eagles stars will play next season.
For Iheanacho, he has had interests from England with West Ham reportedly interested in the forward, while Turkish side Galatasaray have also been mooted as a possible destination.
An initial offer by Leicester for a contract extension for Iheanacho was reportedly rejected by the forward as he looks at his options with offers coming for him in the summer.
Ndidi, who missed Nigeria's campaign at the last Africa Cup of Nations due to injury looks set to stay with the team as they head up to the Premier League even though the rumors have not stopped about his next move.
Spanish side Barcelona are said to have looked at him while there are teams in England and Turkey interested in the midfielder. Aston Villa and West Ham are said to be interested in Wilfred even though he has remained mute in that regard.
A subtle hint on what will happen this summer took place during the team’s celebration on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.
When asked what next by reporters, Ndidi emphatically replied “Premier League,” while Iheanacho, with suppressed emotion, said he does not know what next for him.
While celebrations continue at Leicester, the team’s hierarchy will be doing their best to tie the Nigerians down to a new and improved deal, but the onus remains on the two players.
Do they take another punt at the Premier League with Leicester City or to seek greener pastures elsewhere?
Time will tell.
