Wrestler inspired my goal dance – Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho

Golden Eaglets striker Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed that his goal celebration was inspired by his favourite wrestler Daniel Bryan.

Iheanacho scored four goals in Nigeria’s  6-1 defeat of Mexico in the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Al Ain City on Saturday.

Iheanacho raced to corner flag whenever he scored, raised and pumped his arms, extending his fingers to the heavens. His knees followed along in rhythm to celebrate his goals.

 “This is the celebration move of my favourite professional wrestler,” Iheanacho told FIFA.com. 

Bryan is this Nigerian boy’s favourite wrestler, a bearded American from the outskirts of Seattle who occasionally goes by the moniker, the American Dragon.

“I watch him on TV and I love the way he whips up the crowd this way, so I decided to copy it. The fans seemed to like it, too,” he added.

“I was totally over the top with joy when that first goal went in.”

He  said his  goals against defending champions Mexico on  Saturday marked the first time he would score that number of goals in an international match.

“I’ve scored four goals in a game many times, but only in the streets with my friends,” the striker said.

“But (it has) never (been) in an international match, never for my country. The feeling is amazing.

“Sure, it’s a big win in our first game. We have to have courage now and determination to keep going, to go all the way.”

Nigeria’s next group game will be against Sweden on Tuesday, while their last group tie will be against Iraq three days later.

Nigeria currently top their group with three points from one match, with Sweden who were 4-1 winners over Iraq on Saturday behind them in second place.