Iheanacho quits Eagles for Man City

Golden Eaglets striker, Kelechi Iheanacho
| credits: File copy

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.