Nigerian midfield powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi has urged Leicester City team-mates to work towards building on their last weekend’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the opening match for the season.
Ndidi, who bossed the midfield as the Foxes beat Wolves courtesy of Jamie Vardy’s instinctive finish, has delivered the message ahead of Leicester’s next match against tough West Ham United at London Stadium on Monday.
Ahead of the game against the Hammers, Ndidi said he was looking forward to playing against the well-drilled David Moyes men.
“I feel very well, I feel great,” the Nigeria international told Leicester TV. “It was a good feeling to get three points in the first game of the season to just give us the confidence to go ahead. It was really good. Of course, the second half was really, really tough.
The Nigerian admitted that the Foxes were under pressure playing against Wolves but prepared due to their mental toughness.
“We had a lot of pressure and, as the manager always says, you have to stay in the game, deal with it, and look forward to getting what you can get. The potential is there, but it’s down to us to keep working hard. It was a really good we could stay in the game.
“We look forward to the next one now and, whatever kind of pressure comes out of it, we’ll try to deal with it,” he said.
Reflecting on Vardy’s goal, Ndidi said: “I still do not understand how Vards got there!” the 24-year-old added. “Even during the game I was saying to Daniel [Amartey]: ‘I don’t understand how Vards got there and then dipped it into the goal!’ It was brilliant from Ricardo to get past those guys and then the cross.”
Leicester is home to African players who include new signing from Zambia Patson Daka, Amartey (Ghana) and Nigerian striker Kelechi Ineahacho whose goal earned the Foxes Community Shield win over Manchester City two weeks ago.
The Africans also played an integral part last season when the Foxes won the FA Cup after beating Chelsea in the final.
Under David Moyes, West Ham have developed into a formidable side and they showed their character when they came from behind last weekend to beat Newcastle United 4-2.