Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho is inline to make his first appearance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria when they take on Cameroon in a round of 16 clash at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Iheanacho who has recovered from a thigh injury that made him a major injury doubt for the AFCON, was an unused substitute for Nigeria during the group stages of the competitions – a decision which fueled rumours that he was in the bad books of coach Jose Peseiro.

Several online reports (not in PUNCH Sports Extra) reported that the Leicester City striker had been frozen out of the squad by Peseiro after he disrespected the Portuguese coach during one of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last November.

But during a pre-match conference on Friday, Peseiro dispelled the rift speculation adding that he would not invited the player for the tournament if the reports were true.



“If something happened between me and Kelechi, he wouldn’t have come, he would have stayed back at Leicester,” Peseiro said.

“You know about Kelechi’s injury. He was recovering during our camping, he arrived 4:30 am (on the day of the opener). He started collective work with us one day after. That is the reason.

“When a player recovers, the coach and medical staff need to manage to see if he’s fit or not, ready or not, it’s clear. Easy answer as coach but for you of course you cannot understand that.

“Kelechi, we believe too much in him and he’s going to play and going to score.”

Prior to the start of the AFCON, Iheanacho was arguably the most influential player in the Eagles since the end of last year, having scored or assisted in each of his last five appearances for the team.

Source: https://punchng.com/iheanacho-set-for-first-game/

This Super Eagles team has to be the worst I have seen all my life! Why is the coach not playing Ahmed Musa? It's not as if the current squad is doing anything spectacular.

NFF should fire Peseiro after this tournament and open talks with French coach Hervé Renard. That man is the most successful coach in AFCON games.

This guy is not mobile at all, only good thing is he is not as selfish as some of the others.

SoNature:
This Super Eagles team has to be the worst I have seen all my life! Why is the coach not playing Ahmed Musa? It's not as if the current squad is doing anything spectacular.

NFF should fire Peseiro after this tournament and open talks with French coach Hervé Renard. That man is the most successful coach in AFCON games.

We know u be northerner, just admit that Musa na expired player that was not supposed to be invited.

Obascoetubi:
We know u be northerner, just admit that Musa na expired player that was not supposed to be invited.

That's the major problem of this country; everything is seen from a tribal prism!

I don't understand why we cannot agree that this country isn't working as one unit and unanimously dissolve it.

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This guy wey no dey creative

SoNature:
This Super Eagles team has to be the worst I have seen all my life! Why is the coach not playing Ahmed Musa? It's not as if the current squad is doing anything spectacular.

NFF should fire Peseiro after this tournament and open talks with French coach Hervé Renard. That man is the most successful coach in AFCON games.

or why is Ahmed musa there?

ruggedtimi:
or why is Ahmed musa there?

for bonuses 😂

SoNature:


That's the major problem of this country; everything is seen from a tribal prism!

I don't understand why we cannot agree that this country isn't working as one unit and unanimously dissolve it.

My Bro, that's just it. When you say the truth, tribal war will just set in. What a country 🤔?

When things are getting though elder will be summoned. Iheanacho is a senior man

HussenAdul:
When things are getting though elder will be summoned. Iheanacho is a senior man

Vincent Aboubakar and clinton Njie of cameroon are also back.