Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes says the most important thing about Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s return is not just his match-winning goal but the fact that the Ghanaian winger is smiling and enjoying football again.
Fatawu, 20, produced the decisive moment in Leicester’s 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic in the Championship at the weekend. Cutting inside from the right, he unleashed a curling strike into the top corner, a goal worthy of winning any game.
But for Cifuentes, the goal told only half the story. “It is a fantastic goal but I am very pleased, first of all, to see Abdul laughing and smiling and enjoying again,” the Spaniard said after the match. “This is good news for him and for the team. The goal he gave us is extra quality, it’s a fantastic strike.”
The young Ghanaian endured a difficult spell last season after suffering a serious ACL injury, an absence that kept him out of action for months. His return has been eagerly anticipated, and Saturday’s performance offered a glimpse of what Leicester have been missing.
Cifuentes’ words underlined just how significant Issahaku’s recovery is for both player and club. More than the three points, it was the sight of a promising talent rediscovering his rhythm, and his joy, that made the afternoon special for Leicester.
