Iheanacho Seals CD Mafra Win With 90th-Minute Goal and First-Half Assist

Ex-Golden Eaglets Star Iheanacho Shines With Goal and Assist for Mafra

Stanley Iheanacho picked his moment. The 20-year-old Nigerian forward scored a stoppage-time winner and set up the opener as CD Mafra beat UD Santarém 2-1 in the Liga 3 Championship qualification phase on April 3.

It was a complete performance. In the 37th minute, Iheanacho rose to head the ball into the path of Mamor Niang, who finished with a left-footed strike for 1-0. Then, deep into injury time, he fought off defender Marco Grilo and converted the decisive goal — composure under pressure when it mattered most.

The former Golden Eaglets forward has now registered 10 goal involvements across 24 league appearances this season. Nine goals. One assist. But that assist came first today — and the goal won it.

Iheanacho joined Mafra in summer 2024 from Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland. He came through FC Hearts, the Abuja academy that has produced some of Nigeria’s brightest young talents.

At 20, he is growing into exactly the player his youth career promised.