NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag Kelechi Iheanacho

Sport

Iheanacho, Ajayi fail to make Super Eagles’ 23-man list for 2019 AFCON

Squad
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, June 9, 2019 (NAN) Super Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr on Sunday failed named his final 23-man squad to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, leaving out Kelechi Iheanacho and Semi Ajayi.

Iheanacho, who struggled for regular playing time at English Premier League outfit Leicester City in the 2018/2019 season, failed to convince Rohr he was worthy of a place in the final list.

Ajayi, who was a standout performer for Rotherham United in the SkyBet Championship in England, could not displace more experienced players to make the team to Egypt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles had played their final friendly game ahead of Egypt 2019 on Saturday.

They drew goalless with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the friendly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba and were expected to leave Asaba on Sunday for Egypt.

The 23 players and their officials will leave Nigeria for the final lap of their preparations for the competition.

The three-times African champions will face the Teranga Lions of Senegal in their final friendly match on June 16.

The 2019 AFCON which is the 32nd edition of the competition is scheduled to hold in Egypt from June 21 to July 19.

The Super Eagles’ final squad list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has goalkeepers Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United) and Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)

There are also defenders Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy), Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey), Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey) and William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy).

The rest defenders are Leon Balogun (Brighton and Hove Albion, England), Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain) and Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany).

Mikel John Obi (Middlesbrough FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England) and John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) are the midfielders.

The forwards include Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia), Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium), Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain) and Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey).

The others are Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark) and Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain).(NAN)
VO/DEB/OLAL
=============

(Edited by Debo Oshundun and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Iheanacho on target as Leicester sink lowly Hudddersfield to ease pressure on Puel

EPL

Leicester (UK), Sept. 22, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Leicester City eased the pressure on manager Claude Puel by beating Huddersfield Town 3-1 on Saturday to leave the visitors rooted to the foot of the Premier League table.

Leicester had lost eight of their last 12 league games but Puel finally had something to smile about as his side ran out comfortable winners at the King Power Stadium.

Huddersfield must have thought their luck was changing when Mathias Jorgensen fired them in front after five minutes. But the lead was short-lived as Kelechi Iheanacho brought the home side level on 19 minutes.

James Maddison put Leicester ahead on 65 minutes with a well-taken free kick before Jamie Vardy sealed all three points with a clever finish 15 minutes from time. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/MZA

Sport

Iheanacho says he’s ready to fight to regain place at Manchester City

NAN-S-7

Iheanacho

Abuja, April 22, 2017 (NAN) Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho says he is ready to fight for his place in the team, amidst competition from Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero.

The 20-year-old Nigeria international has scored seven goals this season, but has found first-team chances harder to come by than during his debut campaign.

In spite of only five English Premier League starts this season, Iheanacho welcomes the extra competition and insists he is improving by playing alongside great players.

“I cannot pretend that I don’t hear what people back home [in Nigeria] say about my lack of regular football, but I will continue to fight,” Iheanacho said on Saturday.

“I don’t worry about those comments. All I need to do is to keep working, keep doing well and keep improving every day.

“Sergio Aguero and Gabriel [Jesus] are really really great players that we need in our team.

“As a young player, I’m happy playing alongside these fantastic players because I learn and get better every day.

“It’s a big thing for my career to compete with these players. I’m okay with the way things are going and I wish Gabriel a quick recovery to return and help the team.”

Iheanacho scored 14 times and produced seven assists last season even though 25 of his 36 appearances were as a substitute.

That feat saw him finish as City’s third-highest scorer in all competitions, behind Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne.

At international level, Iheanacho has scored five goals in eight appearances for Nigeria since making his senior debut against Swaziland in November 2015.

He starred as Nigeria won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates for a record fourth-time.

He emerged as the tournament’s outstanding player, being voted the Most Valuable Player.

Iheanacho scored six goals to secure the Silver Boot as the competition’s second-highest goal-scorer. (NAN)
VO/OLAL
==========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

I’m happy at Manchester City, Iheanacho says

NAN-S-21
Iheanacho
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, March 28, 2017 (NAN) Super Eagles’ striker Kelechi Iheanacho has ruled out any possibility of leaving English clubside Manchester City “any time soon’’, saying he was happy to be part of the team.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in spite of some impressive outings, City manager Pep Guardiola has given Iheanacho only few playing opportunities.

However, the striker on Tuesday vowed to stay on and fight for his place in the face of competition from Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.

Iheanacho, who has scored seven goals from 24 appearances this season, said: “I’m very happy and very grateful to be in this team.

“I keep working hard every day and when I get my chance I have to prove to everyone I need to be in the squad.

“It’s a great squad with great players. Everyone is working really hard. So, everyone should be happy being in this team.

“It’s a great team. The supporters give us everything. So, we need to keep fighting for the team and the fans.

“I am improving every day. I keep learning and improving and that will help me in the future. I love it here,” he was quoted on the club’s website as saying.(NAN)
VO/HAS/OLAL
============

(Edited By Hajia Sani and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

International friendly: Iheanacho’s late goal earns Nigeria draw against Senegal

NAN-S-1
Draw
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, March, 24, 2017 (NAN) Kelechi Iheanacho on Thursday in London scored a late goal to deny the Teranga Lions of Senegal a famous victory against the Super Eagles in an international friendly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an 82nd minute penalty kick scored by Iheanacho helped Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw in their friendly encounter at the Hives Stadium.

Moussa Sow had given the Teranga Lions an early second half lead in the 53rd minute, but they could not hold on for a victory over the Super Eagles.

Senegal were dominant in the midfield, with Idrissa Gueye presiding over it all with calm and quality.

But Sow upfront was far less mobile than Mane, and looked very ordinary until Daniel Akpeyi dropped a 53rd minute corner kick into his path for the opening goal.

Iheanacho did get two glorious chances to score, scuffing a shot across the goal from 18 yards, and then somehow prodding wide from point blank range.

He managed to redeem himself with 10 minutes to go, gliding onto a through-ball before being brought down by Pape Ndiaye, and rising to convert the penalty kick for the equaliser.

It was probably deserved, if only for Iheanacho’s persistent running.

He might even have won it with a snapshot wide in stoppage time, but neither side really did enough to win the game, or to entertain the sparse crowd.

When Sadio Mane came on, replacing debutant Opa Nguette, he earned the largest cheer of the night, bringing more excitement than either goal.

While he may not have actually contributed much on the pitch, it was the Liverpool man alone who provided any buzz around the Hive.

The Super Eagles will now look forward to their next friendly game against Burkina Faso in four days time.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Iheanacho happy with Super Eagles’ fitness ahead Senegal, Burkina Faso friendlies

NAN-S-17

Fitness

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, March 22, 2017 (NAN) Manchester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho says he is happy to see his Super Eagles team mates looking sharp in training ahead of their friendly matches against Senegal and Burkina Faso.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Iheanacho is one of six forwards Coach Gernot Rohr invited for Thursday’s match against Senegal and the one against Burkina Faso on Monday.

“It’s always good to be back with the team; everyone is looking sharp and fit this morning,” he wrote on his Instagram wall on Wednesday.

NAN also reports that Iheanacho has scored four goals in seven international appearances for Nigeria, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times in 1980, 1994, and 2013.

He is expected to make his eighth appearance for the Super Eagles against Senegal at the Hive stadium.

Nigeria and Senegal have met five times at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1992, 2000, 2002, and 2006.

In those encounters, Nigeria won five times and lost only once at the semi final stage of the competition in 2002 in Dakar. (NAN)

VO/ESAN/YEE

Edited by Abiodun Esan/Emmanuel Yashim

==================================

i