Iheanacho can be in the same class as Messi –Chukwu

Kelechi Iheanacho

He felt a million things at the same time, including love for his teammates, family and country.

Kelechi  Iheanacho   was on a high after  helping Nigeria  beat defending champions Mexico 3-0 at the   Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,  to win    the 2013 FIFA Under-17  World Cup on  November 8. 

 He capped off an amazing run   in the three-week tournament with a goal in the final to take his tally to  six goals and seven assists to emerge as the Golden Ball winner (Most Valuable Player of the competition).

Iheanacho becomes the second Nigerian to win the MVP award at the Under-17  World Cup after Philip Osondu, who won the award at the 1987 edition in Canada.

Like Iheanacho, Osondu  was not the highest goal scorer at  Canada ’87 but he was voted the best player of the championship.

Iheanacho, who   started getting special media attention when he scored four goals in  his first match (6-1 defeat of Mexico), has made more headlines since the competition ended.

The  agent of the 17-year-old Taye Academy player confirmed during the week that  Premier League giants Arsenal are interested in taking Iheanacho to the Emirates Stadium in London.

“I can confirm that Arsenal’s  (Chief Scout) Steve Rowley, acknowledged Kelechi Iheanacho’s talents early in the World Cup and has said some very nice words about him,” Henry Galeano was quoted by  the IBTimes as saying.

“We’re ecstatic to have another major club like Arsenal following him. That said, the attention is well deserved. Iheanacho’s performance at the World Cup was indeed remarkable.”

The young striker is  said to have also attracted interests  from Manchester United and Chelsea but former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu says the  teenage sensation must be guided  to reach his potential.

“Iheanacho is a technically gifted player, “ Chukwu told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.

“He is a great player, with proven quality. He showed that  at the World Cup.

“Iheanacho can develop to be in the same class as (Lionel) Messi if properly managed. Messi is the best player in the world.

“Messi is a world-class player today because he was properly managed.

“He joined Barcelona at a tender age and the club made him a star. They didn’t rush him but allowed him  develop gradually before playing him in  the  first team.

“Neymar  is a big player today because he was also managed very well  by his country (Brazil).  After playing at Nigeria 2009 (FIFA Under-17 World Cup), he was allowed to grow in the Brazilian league for four years (with Santos) before he joined Barcelona in the summer.

“Iheanacho can be in the same class as  Messi and Neymar if managed like them.

“He showed his quality in UAE. He’s not a selfish player. And he contributed to  most of our goals.

“Iheanacho  did everything at the right time at the tournament. He’s really gifted.

“I’m very happy that he’s being linked with top European  clubs.  There are reports in the media that Arsenal and Chelsea want to sign him.

“If the reports are true, I think he should seize the opportunity. But he  needs proper guidance and the right manager.

“Iheanacho needs a club with the right manager to make it to the top. If he goes into the wrong hand and  the wrong club, it may affect his future.”

Chukwu says  Iheanacho   must not get carried away with his achievements at the World Cup, maintaining that the youngster  still has a lot to learn.

“Iheanacho has a bright future ahead of him in the game,” the Nigeria ’80 Africa Cup of Nations winner said.

“But he needs discipline in everything he does.

“He needs discipline to manage success. He must be disciplined when it comes to money and other things.

“Messi has won the World Player of the Year four times  because of personal discipline. He has not allowed his  money or fame  to control him.

“He’s focused and respects his coaches and teammates. He gives his best performance in every game. Iheanacho should emulate him.”

Chukwu, who assisted Sebastine Brodricks-Imasuen to win the maiden edition of the  Under-17 World Cup in China in 1985, feels   Iheanacho  is not mature enough for the Super Eagles.

There have  been calls for Stephen Keshi to give the player the opportunity to fight for his place in the senior national team.

Jonathan Akpoborie, who won the China ’85 finals,  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.

“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,” the former VfB Stuttgart and Wolfsburg striker told our correspondent on the telephone.

“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.”

However, Chukwu  suggested  the player should be promoted to the Under-20 team to continue his development.

“If Iheanacho  is needed by Keshi in the senior national team, he should go in immediately,” the ex-Kenya coach said.

“But for me, Iheanacho should go to the Flying Eagles.

“It’s true that Neymar and Gotze broke into their senior national teams after playing in Nigeria. But our players don’t have the opportunity they have to develop themselves.

“They (Neymar and Gotze) were regarded  as big players after representing their countries at the Under-17 World Cup  because they  broke into the clubs’ first teams.

“Borussia Dortmund (Gotze’s club then) are a big club  just like  Santos (Neymar’s former club).

“Unfortunately we don’t regard our clubs as big clubs because of the standard of our league.

“If Iheanacho breaks into the first team at Enyimba, Rangers, Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United, that will not be regarded as an achievement because of the situation here.

“If he does that at Arsenal or Dortmund, it’s a big deal.”

Chukwu heaped praise on coach Manu Garba and his assistants – Nduka Ugbade and Emmanuel Amuneke – for  guiding the Golden Eaglets to their fourth World Cup title in the UAE.

Nigeria were champions in 1985, 1993 and 2007 before they landed in the UAE for the 15th edition of the cadet tournament.

“Manu, Ugbade and Amuneke deserve credit  for getting us a good team for the World Cup,” the ex-Nigeria captain said.

“Without them getting us a good team we won’t be talking about Iheanacho today.

“The players they selected for the competition merited their places in the squad. They are players who enjoy playing the game.

“They are not players who forced themselves to play football but decided to become footballers because they love the game.

“If they are well managed, some of them will play for  the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madid and Manchester United in the future.

“But they must be disciplined and should not be in a hurry to go to Europe. They should gain experience in the domestic league before travelling to Europe for professional football.

“They must ask questions and seek counseling before engaging agents to negotiate contracts on their behalf.

“I’m against our quality players moving to places like Qatar, Vietnam, Romania and India for professional football.

“The players we featured at the World Cup in the UAE are good enough to play for top clubs in England, Spain, Germany and Italy.”