Akpoborie wants Iheanacho in Eagles

Golden Eaglets striker, Kelechi Iheanacho

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China ’85 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner Jonathan Akpoborie believes Golden Eaglets striker Kelechi Iheanacho deserves a chance  to fight for his place in the Super Eagles.

Iheanacho has  earned rave reviews for his ball-striking technique, skill and  flair at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The  17-year-old, who  is the second highest goal scorer (with five goals) at UAE 2013, is said to have attracted  interest  from  Arsenal and Akpoborie is backing the Taye Academy player to  join a big club after the World Cup.

He believes Iheanacho can follow in the footsteps of Germany’s Mario Gotze and Brazil’s Neymar, who broke into their  senior national teams after distinguishing themselves at the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

“Iheanacho has really impressed in the tournament. I’m not surprised because he was impressive during the Africa Under-17 Championship in Morocco,” the former VfB Stuttgart and Wolfsburg striker told our correspondent on the telephone on Thursday.

“Yes, he should be given a chance to play in the Super Eagles —  to prove himself.  He has showed that he is a quality striker and when a player is ripe enough, he should be moved up.

“It’s not about promoting him to the senior national team.  The kind of football Iheanacho plays is good. He’s a modern striker and we shouldn’t  deny him a chance to move up because he’s young.

“If he is unable to cope at the senior level, we can ask him to go to the Flying Eagles.

“Apart from him, there are other players in the Eaglets that should be given a chance to play in the Eagles.”

The former Eagles forward expects the Eaglets  to beat Uruguay in their  quarterfinal encounter in Sharjah on Saturday.

However, the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist urged the side  to avoid mistakes in their defence.

“It’s a Nigerian problem. We attack very well but have defensive problems,”  Akpoborie said.

“The good thing about our team in UAE  is that our attack is good and the goals we have scored have overshadowed our defensive problems.”

Meanwhile, Iheanacho’s agent Henry Galeano has confirmed that  interest is flooding in for the player.

“There are numerous interests from different clubs in different countries. Due to confidentiality agreements, I cannot confirm any names or details while negotiations are ongoing,” Galeano told tribalfootball.com.

“Kelechi has great potential to become an elite footballer and hopefully a key figure with the Super Eagles.

“First Eleven Management wants to place Kelechi in an environment where he can develop even further and hone his talents.”