Double assist by Kelechi Iheanacho in Middlesbrough's 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers

Kelechi Iheanacho continued his impressive resurgence with a stellar performance for Middlesbrough, providing two assists in their 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.

The Nigerian striker, who joined Boro during the winter transfer window, initially struggled to adapt to life at the club and was unable to impress in his early appearances.

His lackluster form saw him dropped from the Super Eagles squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, despite being named to the provisional 39-man list.

However, Iheanacho has regained his momentum following the international break, netting his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 2-1 win over Oxford United.

His confidence further surged during Friday's match, where he played a pivotal role in both of Boro’s goals at Ewood Park.

Just two minutes into the game, Iheanacho set up Tommy Conway for the opening goal, playing a precise ball that allowed Conway to flick the ball behind and smash it past Blackburn keeper Aynsley Pears.

Six minutes later, Iheanacho was again involved, delivering a perfect assist for Samuel Iling-Junior, who finished off a brilliant team move to double Middlesbrough’s lead.

The result saw Middlesbrough move up to fifth place in the Championship standings, putting them in a strong position to secure a playoff spot and keep their Premier League aspirations alive.

Iheanacho’s impressive performance has not only boosted Middlesbrough’s playoff hopes but also reignited talk of a potential return to the Super Eagles fold.

The striker will hope his revived form earns him a spot in the upcoming four-nation international friendly tournament in June, as he looks to push for a place in Nigeria's squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Adeyemi Adewale

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