Kelechi Iheanacho Scores First European Goal of the Season To Put Leicester in Control Against Rennes

• Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to score a stunning winner as Leicester City registered a 2-0 victory over Stade Rennes
• The goal was the 25-year-old's debut European goal in the 2021/22 season after making seven appearances
• Wilfried Ndidi, new Super Eagles invitee Ademola Lookman were also in action, while Ghana international Daniel Amartey featured in the game

Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed his maiden European goal of the season as Leicester romped to a comfortable 2-0 win over Stade Rennes on Thursday night.

The home side opened the scoring after Marc Albrighton powered an effort into the top corner in the first half at the King Power Stadium in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The Foxes struggled to contain a dominant Rennes in the second half until the super-sub came on in the 67th minute to seal the win after he curled in a late second against the run of play.

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That was Iheanacho's debut goal in European competition this season and he has provided four assists in seven games. His last goal came in November 2020 when he scored a brace against Sporting Braga in the UEFA Europa League.

The 25-year-old has been influential for the Foxes from the bench, scoring two goals in his last two games as a substitute.

His compatriot Wilfried Ndidi and new Nigeria invitee Ademola Lookman started and played key roles for Brendan Rodger's side even though the latter was substituted later in the second half.

Ghana's Daniel Amartey starred in defence for Leicester City as usual as he helped his side to keep a clean sheet after making three blocked shots, one tackle, one interception and winning five duels with a rating of 8.0, per sofascore.

Amartey's Black Stars teammate Kamaldeen Sulemana was ruled out due for Stade Rennes due to back injury.

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The Foxes will go into the return leg next week in France with a 2-0 aggregate lead as they hope to seal passage to the last eight.

Ghana's Kamaldeen to Miss Rennes Clash Against Amartey's Leicester City

Sports Brief earlier reported that Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana has been ruled out of the UEFA Europa Conference League when his club Stade Rennes travel away to face Daniel Amartey's Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Thursday night.

The 20-year-old has not been in action with his French club since February after he suffered a back injury in training.

He has since been sidelined and will miss the showdown against his compatriot Daniel Amartey who is likely to start in defence for Leicester City.