Golden Eaglets forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, is
set to join English Premier League side,
Manchester City. The player left having been
released on Monday from the Super Eagles
camp in Abuja by Stephen Keshi. Iheanacho
was in camp for the Championship of African
Nations billed for South Africa in January.
A statement from the Eagles Media officer, Ben
Alaiya, on Monday confirmed Iheanacho’s
departure for England. The PUNCH however
could not get a confirmation from City of any
such move as at Monday night.
The youngster was the Most Valuable Player at
the recent FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United
Arab Emirates. The competition was won by
Nigeria after defeating Mexico 3-0 in the final
match.
Keshi was quoted by Alaiya as saying that he
had to approve the departure of the player
after his father, James Iheanacho, personally
put a call to him on Monday afternoon
requesting the release of his son for the trip to
England.
Keshi said, “Initially a young man came
declaring that he was the agent of Iheanacho,
but I declined to deal with him until I hear
from the family because the boy is still a minor.
“It was soon after my rejection that I got a call
from his father who told me that they have got
travelling visa to the United Kingdom and that I
should oblige him with his son’s release. I did
and told the young man to go and do the
nation proud at whichever club he finally
chooses to settle down with.”
Keshi acknowledged that Iheanacho is a
talented player but also cautioned that the
player should be handled gently and
professionally as he navigates his professional
career. The player’s transfer has been one of
controversies since he made the headlines at
the FIFA competition. It started with several
people stepping up as agents for the player and
then it was followed by different price tags
placed on him. The choice of European club to
join soon became a thorny issue between the
player and his father such that the player left
home unceremoniously with the father allegedly
declaring him missing.
But apart from the Iheanacho move, the Eagles
also trained on Monday. The national team
cancelled their second Monday training session
after it appeared that the close to three hours
morning training session may have taken its toll
on the players.
“We have to be cautious not to push the
players too hard so that nobody will break
down,” Keshi said.