UECL: 4 Nigeria-eligible players including ex-Chelsea starlet named in Leicester matchday squad

Published: March 10, 2022

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has selected four players of Nigerian descent in his matchday squad for Thursday night's UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 match against French Ligue 1 side Rennes, who are without the injured French-Nigerian midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.

Joining Super Eagles invitees Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman in the matchday squad is former Chelsea schoolboy Chituru Odunze.

Only Ndidi has a place in the starting lineup while the remaining three players have been named on the bench.

This is the first time in his professional career Odunze has received a call-up to the first team of the Foxes since his arrival at the Premier League club from Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019.

The American-Nigerian glovesman has been registered on the List B for the Europa Conference League as he was born after January 1, 2000 and has been on the books of Leicester City for more than two years.

Raleigh, North Carolina-born Odunze has caps for United States at U17 and U20 levels and was called up to train with the senior team in 2020.

The 19-year-old is also eligible to represent England and Canada at international level.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : lcfc.com

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