The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kelechi Iheanacho

  • Iheanacho’s Golden Eaglets beg for Calabar houses

    Iheanacho’s Golden Eaglets beg for Calabar houses

    Three years after they conquered the world in the UAE , Golden Eaglets class of 2013 have yet begged the incumbent  Cross River State Executive Governor Prof. Ben Ayade  to redeem the pledge of houses made to officials and players of the national U-17 team.

    On Tuesday (November 8), it would be exactly three years after the Golden Eaglets massacre Mexico 3-0 in Abu Dhabi to lift the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time in the presence of Immediate past Governor of the state,Senator Liyel Imoke.

    An impressed Governor Imoke later hosted the team on November 15 2013 inside the state’s council chamber at the Governor’s office in Calabar where he magnanimously pledged houses for players and officials to be located within the state’s new housing estate scheme in Akpabuyo in Calabar.

    The amiable Governor said then it was necessary to break away from the norm in order to give a befitting future to players and officials hence the state’s was duty-bound in rewarding the team with properties instead of monetary largess.

    “We want to partner and invest in you because we believe this kind of investment (house property) would yield better dividends in the future even if you no longer want anything to do with football,” Imoke told the victorious team in the presence of top officials of Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) and other state’s executives.

    ” It is three years now that we won the World Cup and the then Governor Imoke pledged all the 21 players and 10 officials houses as rewards but it is unfortunate that we are yet to be given these houses despite several appeals,” stated coach Manu Garba.

    In the team was new Super Eagles sensation Kelechi Iheanacho who was the tournament’s MVP as well Saviour Godwin and Denis Okon who are both indigenes of Cross River State.

    “It’s really painful that we don’t have our houses  even after three years and I wonder why they are yet to give us the houses promised by former  Governor Imoke ,” lamented who is now with Belgian club, Roeselare.

    ” We just have to keep begging our new Governor and pray they give us these houses because we did the state and Nigeria proud in 2013,” added Godwin.

  • Nigeria vs Algeria: Iheanacho, Onazi, Ndidi storm Eagles camp on Monday

    Nigeria vs Algeria: Iheanacho, Onazi, Ndidi storm Eagles camp on Monday

    Ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo, the trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ogeyi Onazi are set to storm the Super Eagles camp in Abuja on Monday, SportingLife gathered.

    The trio who are part of the 24-man squad invited by manager Gernot Rohr will touch down in Lagos on Sunday before heading out to the Federal Capital Territory.

    Ndidi has been in spectacular form for Belgium side Genk and was on the scoresheet on Thursday night in the Europa League when they lost 5-3 to Athletic Bilbao away from home.

    On his part, Iheanacho has scored three goals in the premier league so far with three assists for Manchester City and although he was on the bench against Middlesbrough at the weekend, he is tipped for a big future under Spanish manager Pep Guardiola.

    Trabzonspor midfielder Onazi had already confirmed his arrival as he tweeted that he will be at the venue of the Federation Cup match between Ifeanyi Ubah and Nasarawa United which will be played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium by 3:00pm in Lagos.

    The former Lazio midfielder may likely be in the company of Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohor who is scheduled to also be at the stadium to witness the encounter before leaving for camp on Monday.

  • Manchester City 1-1 Middleborough: Iheanacho in late cameo

    Manchester City 1-1 Middleborough: Iheanacho in late cameo

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho was a late substitute as Manchester City drew 1-1 against Middleborough at the Etihad this evening.

    The Nigerian was named among the substitutes by manager Pep Guardiola for the third consecutive match in all competitions – he was benched in the premier league games against West Bromwich Albion, Middleborough and the UEFA Champions League tie against Barcelona.

    Fortunately for the Citizens they’ve not lost any of those games in the absence of the Nigerian who last started a game in the 1-1 home draw against Everton on October 15.

    Manchester City found life very difficult against Aitor Karanka’s men as they mustered the home side’s pressure and goalkeeper Victor Valdez who coincidentally was Pep Guardiola’s first choice during their time together at Barcelona pulled out some decent stops to prevent City from running riots.

    Eventually, they had a breakthrough just before half-time as Belgian Kevin de Bruyne produced an exquisite cross from the right to find teammate Sergio Aguero and the Argentine made no mistake from six yards out.

    However, Manchester City were denied a win as De Roon headed in a perfect cross from left-back George Friend. Iheanacho was introduced as a late substitute but it was a little too late as the game finished 1-1 to the delight of the away fans.

  • Iheanacho earns £15k weekly not £85,000

    Iheanacho earns £15k weekly not £85,000

    Contrary to wide spread speculations that Super Eagles sensation Kelechi Iheanacho currently earns £85,000-per-week at Manchester City, a very close source to the player have exclusively revealed to SportingLife that the 20-year-old receives just £15,000 weekly.

    The former Nigeria youth international joined the Citizens in 2013 following a very successive campaign at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup where he emerged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, scoring six and assisting a seven times.

    Unsurprisingly, he broke into the City first team in the 2015/16 season after a mesmerising pre-season and made a huge impact with eight premier league goals in his debut season and scored the goal that sealed qualification for the UEFA Champions League for his team.

    He has already scored three goals with three assists this campaign and was rewarded for his form by new manager Pep Guardiola with a deal that will see him stay at the club until 2021. Financial details of the deal was not officially made public but reports have it that the Nigerian was given a pay rise from £15,000-per-week to a whopping £85,000 which makes him the highest paid Super Eagles player.

    Speaking with SportingLife, the source claimed: “Iheanacho is still receiving £15,000 at Manchester City and not the £85,000-per-week that is celebrated everywhere in the media.

    “It is true that he penned a new deal with the club earlier this season with an increased wage of £85,000 weekly but he has a clause that prevents him from actually earning that account for now. So, the club still pays him £15,000-per-week.

     “Iheanacho is a special player and well respected at the club and in due time I am very confident that they will honour him what he truly deserves.”

    Iheanacho has been an unused substitute in Manchester City’s last two games – against West Brom in the premier league and Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League and in both matches Pep Guardiola’s men won, scoring seven goals and conceding just one. 

  • Iheanacho ready for Eagles camp

    Iheanacho ready for Eagles camp

    Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, will arrive the Super Eagles Bolton White Hotel and Apartments, Abuja,in the coming week, according to his father James Iheanacho.

    Iheanacho is one of six English Premier League (EPL) stars included in the roster and would earn his sixth international cap against Zambia on October 9 if selected by Gernot Rohr, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    The player’s father said, “Kelechi will definitely come for the game. He has been telling me his club will play a game this weekend and will arrive Nigeria next week.”

  • ‎ Nigeria defeats Luxembourg in friendly

    ‎ Nigeria defeats Luxembourg in friendly

    Nigeria on Tuesday evening defeated Luxembourg 3-1 in an international friendly played at the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg City.

    Olympiakos striker, Brown Ideye, opened the scoring for the Super Eagles in the 36th minute, before Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, doubled the advantage for the three-time African champions mid- way into the second half.

    Substitute Odion Ighalo scored Nigeria’s third goal in the 89th minute.

    Vincent Thill’s late goal was not enough for the European side who struggled to match the superior West Africans throughout the encounter.

  • Champions League ticket a parting gift for Pellegrini – Iheanacho

    Champions League ticket a parting gift for Pellegrini – Iheanacho

    Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has said Manchester City will do well to secure a UEFA Champions League spot as a parting gift for outgoing manager, Manuel Pellegrini.

    Pellegrini is leaving The Etihad after three years and he will be replaced by Bayern Munich boss, Pep Guardiola, africanFootball.com reports.

    The Chilean coach helped City achieve its best-ever finish in the Champions League this season when the club reached the semi-finals and Iheanacho said the team will fight to beat off the last-day challenge of rivals Manchester United to return to the competition next season.

    Manchester City, on 65 points, needs only a draw at Swansea City to pip United, who host Bournemouth, to the remaining Champions League place on Sunday.

    “Manchester City is a big team who belong to the Champions League,” africanFootball.com quoted Iheanacho as saying in a television interview.

    “The manager has done great and he deserves for us to qualify for the Champions League.”

  • UEFA: Iheanacho eyes final berth with Man City

    UEFA: Iheanacho eyes final berth with Man City

    There is no doubt that the 4-2 loss to Southampton may have deflated the confidence of Manchester City, but Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho believes if given chance he could inspire the team to the final of the UEFA Champions League.

    Iheanacho’s brace could not save Man City from losing at St Mary’s on Sunday, but the former Golden Eaglets star is optimistic that they have the wherewithal to turn the table against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Monday.

    “This game is not good preparation for us,” he said. “But we will keep it behind us, focus and train, and go to the Bernabeu and hope we qualify. Unfortunately for me, we lost so the goals didn’t mean anything but I will keep working hard to get some more. If I play, I need to work hard for the team and help them qualify for the final if we get the goals,” he told The Manchester Evening News.

    He added: “I am in with a shot of being involved in Madrid, so I will keep working hard. Nothing is enough in football. I will keep working hard to convince the team that I need to be here. It doesn’t matter where you find yourself, you have to focus and concentrate and work for the team. When the ball falls to you, you have to put it in. It’s going to be a big challenge for us but we will keep our heads down and keep working hard to get there.”

    Coach Manuel Pellegrini will ring changes after resting his top players for the trip to the south coast, but Iheanacho said: “It is a dream come true for me and I am happy if I go there. I hope we do well there and there is a great atmosphere. I haven’t been before, but I am happy to go there to get a win.”

  • Manchester City can still win EPL – Iheanacho

    Manchester City can still win EPL – Iheanacho

    Manchester City now lies six points behind leaders Leicester City in the English Premier League title race, but Nigeria youngster Kelechi Iheanacho has insisted the club could still fight back and win the championship this season.

    Iheanacho came off the bench to score his third EPL goal on Sunday, but it was not enough as City fell 1-2 to title chasers Tottenham Hotspur.

    “We will close the gap (between us and front runners),” africanFootball.com quoted the ex- Flying Eagles star as saying to Manchester City Television.

    “We were very disappointed we lost, no one is happy, but we will come back stronger.

    “We will put this defeat behind us and keep going for the next games. We will work hard and concentrate for every game.”

     

  • Nasri hopes to end career at Manchester City

    Nasri hopes to end career at Manchester City

    Samir Nasri hopes to end his career at Manchester City despite the club replacing the injury plagued midfielder with young striker Kelechi Iheanacho in their Champions League squad for the knockout rounds earlier this month.

    The report said that Nasri was initially expected to miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury he picked up in October 2015, but the France international said last month that he hoped to return to action by the end of March.

    “There are so many exciting things happening here. You never know what will happen in football, but it would be a pleasure to finish my career at City,” Nasri told the club’s website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

    The former Arsenal man, who has scored one goal in eight appearances this season, said he was looking forward to rekindling his ‘special connection’ with midfield duo David Silva and Yaya Toure upon his return.

    City, who have failed to win back-to-back Premier League games since October, have slipped to fourth in the table and will hope to get their title charge back on track when they host second-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.