Super Eagles forwards, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi will be seeking for their first opening day goals when the 2020/2021 Premier League starts on September 12, 2020.
The duo will also be seeking for their first opening day starts for their respective clubs. Iheanacho has started just one of the five opening day games he was expected to feature in after making the matchday squads for both Manchester City in the 2015/16
and 2016/17 seasons and Leicester City in the last three seasons.
The Nigerian was an unused substitute in the two opening day games for Manchester City in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons against West Brom and Sunderland respectively before moving to Leicester City where he started just one of the three games – the 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Everton forward, Iwobi will also be hoping for the same luck his compatriot is seeking in front of goal after firing blanks in the only opening day game he has featured in the 4-3 loss to Liverpool at the Emirates in 2016/17 season.
Manchester United forward, Odion Ighalo is the only Nigerian forward among the players still in the Premier League that has scored in an opening day game.
The former Watford striker scored on his premier league debut for Watford in 2015/16 season in the Hornets’ 2-2 draw at Goodison Park against Everton.
Ighalo was subbed on in the game, but started Watford’s opening day tie against Southampton at Saint Mary’s the following season. The Nigerian is yet to start a Premier League game for Manchester United since he joined on loan from China, and will be hoping he gets gaffer Ole Solskjaer’s nod to make his second opening day start in three games.
For Wilfred Ndidi, the worry is not starting an opening day game as he made the starting line up for Leicester City since he joined in January 2017 from Belgian side, Genk.
The Super Eagle’s midfielder’s worry will be to record his first opening day win after losing two and drawing one of the three he has featured in.