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Tag: kelechi Iheanacho

  • English FA to mediate in Iheanacho agents’ dispute

    English FA to mediate in Iheanacho agents’ dispute

    The England Football Association tribunal is expected to hear a case brought by Kelechi Iheanacho’s former agents against his new representatives.

    The United States-based First Eleven is asking the FA to cancel a new management deal the Nigeria youngster signed with the United Kingdom-based Stellar Group, africanFootball.com reports.

    The group argued that Iheanacho signed a contract with its representatives just before the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and as such cannot sign another management agreement.

    “The FA Rule K tribunal will be sitting any time from now to hear the case,” a source told africanFootball.com.

    “This is a major development in this matter.”

    Some believe the face-off between the agents has put on hold talks on a new contract for Iheanacho, who has continued to justify his inclusion in the star-studded Manchester City after coming through the academy.

     

  • Aguero, Bony have been helpful – Iheanacho

    Aguero, Bony have been helpful – Iheanacho

    Nigeria starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, has revealed that Sergio Aguero and Wilfred Bony have been pushing him hard in training in order to be a great player too.

    Iheanacho, 19, scored his third goal for Manchester City on Tuesday to lift the team to the semi-finals of the League Cup and later praised his more illustrious striking rivals for guiding him, africanFootball.com reports.

    “They talk to me every day in training, giving me advice and encouraging me to keep going and doing well,” he said.

    “They tell me I will be a great player one day, so I will keep listening and working hard,” africanFootball.com quoted the youngster as saying on his team mates.

  • WCQ: Mikel, Iheanacho join Eagles’ camp

    WCQ: Mikel, Iheanacho join Eagles’ camp

    Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi and Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, have joined the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Swaziland.

    Mikel arrived Abuja early Tuesday morning on board a British Airways flight.

    “I hope to win (against Swaziland) and I have been doing this from the first day,” africanFootball.com quoted the Chelsea star as saying on arrival.

    Manchester City’s Iheanacho is honouring his first Super Eagles call-up.

    The players already in camp are Efe Ambrose, Odion Ighalo, Elderson Echiejile, Alex Iwobi, Rabiu Ibrahim, Carl Ikeme as well as the players from the domestic league – Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Austin Oboroakpo, Jamiu Alimi, Orji Kalu and Chima Akas

    Nigeria’s first training session will take place by 4:00pm at Abuja National Stadium.

    The team will depart Abuja early Thursday morning for Swaziland on a chartered flight.

  • Iheanacho, Simon, Awoniyi invited for CAF U-23 championship

    Iheanacho, Simon, Awoniyi invited for CAF U-23 championship

    Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Taiwo Awoniyi have been included in the list of 51 players invited by coach Samson Siasia for next month’s CAF U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal.

    The tournament is the final qualifying round for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

    The top three teams will qualify for the Olympic Games.

    The list included 35 players from the domestic scene and 16 players based abroad.

    Manchester city’s Iheanacho, Gent’s Simon and FSV Frankfurt’s Awoniyi will be joined by Isaac Success of Granada, Junior Ajayi of CS Sfaxien and team captain Azubuike Okechukwu of Yeni Malatyaspor among many others, Goal reports.

    From the home-based group, Chima Akas of Sharks, Kingsley Sokari of Enyimba, Oghenekaro Etebo of Warri Wolves and Zaradeen Bello of Kano Pillars made the list..

    The home-based players are expected to resume camp immediately, while the foreign-based players will join the team before the tournament.

    Nigeria plays in group B alongside Egypt, Algeria and Mali, while hosts Senegal, South Africa, Zambia and Tunisia are in group A.

    The tournament starts in November 28 and runs till December 12.

    Foreign based players:

    Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Taiwo Awoniyi (FSV Frankfurt, Germany), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England),  Moses Simon (KAA Gent Belgium), Wilfred Ndidi (Genk, Belgium), Isaac Success (Granada, Spain), Dele Alampasu (Estoril, Portugal), Shehu Abdullahi (Uniao Da Madeira, Portugal), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovenia), Vin Solomon Otabor (Birmingham, England),  Uche Ikpeazu (Port Vale FC, England), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense, Portugal),  Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor, Turkey), Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark).

     

    Home based players:

    Emmanuel Daniel (Rangers Int Enugu), Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Iwu (Heartland F. C), Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys), Sincere Seth Rhapsody, Erhun Obanor (Abia Warriors), Chima Akas (Sharks F C), Daniel Etor (Enyimba FC), Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves FC), Godwin Aguda (Rangers FC),Usman Mohammed (Taraba FC), Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors FC),  Chukwuebuka Iroha (Diamond FC),  Austine Oladapo (FC Ifeanyi Ubah),  Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC), Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves FC), Semiu Liadi (Warri Wolves FC),  Godspower Effiong (Kano Pillars FC),  Ifeanyi Mathew (El Kanemi FC), Bright Onyeadikachi (FC Ifeanyi Ubah), Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars FC), Mustapha Abdullahi( Sport Light FC), Muritala Adamu (Kano Pillars FC), Zaradeen Bello (Kano Pillars FC), Dayo Ojo (Sunshine Stars FC), Seun Olulayo (Sunshine Stars FC), Tiongoli Tonbara (Bayelsa United), Kufre Ebong (Warri Wolves FC),  Kingsley Eduwo (Sunshine Stars FC),  Stephens Eze (Sunshine Stars FC),  Anaezemba Nzube (Enyimba FC),  Charles Chukwudi (Plateau United), Daniel Enmanson (Akwa United ),  Ibrahim Alhassan (Heart FC Kano),  Adebayo Ajadi (36 Lions).

     

     

  • Iheanacho returns for Newcastle clash

    Iheanacho returns for Newcastle clash

    Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, has confirmed that Nigeria starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, is available for selection against Newcastle United on Saturday.

    The Chilean, however, maintained that his team can succeed without the influential skipper, Vincent Kompany, Goal reports.

    Iheanacho, who has scored a goal in three Premier League appearances this term, was ruled out of his side’s 1-4 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last week by injury.

    However, Pellegrini has declared the ex-Flying Eagles star fully fit, while revealing that Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Kompany will be unavailable for the clash against the Magpies.

    “Vincent Kompany, Clichy, Delph, Nasri and Toure are injured. Mangala is on the squad list and so are Kelechi and Bony,” Goal quoted Pellegrini as saying on the club’s website.

    “Kompany’s calf is still injured – we’ll see if he’s fit after the international break.

    “It’s not been a normal situation to have so many injuries – against Sunderland we had 11 injured, then it’s been seven or eight. I hope after this break, most of them will be fit.

    “I never complain about the players who can’t play. I don’t think that one name can change the performance of this team. We also win a lot of games without Vincent.”

     

  • Anichebe hails Iheanacho, Ighalo’s performance

    Anichebe hails Iheanacho, Ighalo’s performance

    West Bromwich Albion striker, Victor Anichebe, has hailed Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, after the teenager opened his account for the English Premier League side on Saturday.

    The former Everton striker also had kind words for Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, whose 59th minute strike against Swansea City secured three points for Watford also on Saturday.

    Compared to Iheanacho who scored his first goal in the EPL aged 18 years, 11 months and nine days, Anichebe remains the youngest Nigerian player to score in the top flight, scoring after 84 minutes in Everton’s 2 – 2 draw with his current club at the age of 18 years and 14 days in May 2006.

    “Big congrats to Kelechi on your first senior goal and Ighalo Jude on another goal. Future looking bright for Nigeria,” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted Anichebe as saying on social media.

     

  • Iheanacho ‘grateful’ for Man City chance

    Iheanacho ‘grateful’ for Man City chance

    Nigeria youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho, has said he is grateful for getting the chance to score his first senior goal for Manchester City in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

    The best player at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup said the goal was very important to his career and thanked the coach for the chance to play as he looks forward to great things with the club.

    “It (the goal) means so much to me.

    “I am happy and very grateful, I thank the manager for introducing me.

    “I will try to do my best always in training and in games, if I am introduced. I am hoping to do great for the team. It’s not easy. We have great players here, but I have to keep working hard,” africaFootball.com quoted the ex-Flying Eagles playmaker as saying on the match.

    Iheanacho said he was commanded by the coach to go in and get the goal which he did.

    “I said to myself, ‘if I go in I will do what he asked me. I scored a great goal so I am really happy,” he added.

  • Iheanacho targets more EPL action

    Iheanacho targets more EPL action

    Nigeria youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho, has expressed his desire for more English Premier League action in the coming weeks.

    Iheanacho, who made his EPL debut before the international break, said he is hungry for more minutes with the Manuel Pellegrini’s tutored side, africanFootball.com reports.

    “It’s been going great, I`ve been training with the first-team and the guys have been great with me and I`m really enjoying it,” africanFootball.com quoted the ex-Flying Eagles midfielder as saying on his club’s official website.

    “It was a great feeling to make my debut against Watford. I was hoping to come on. The manager introduced me and I was very happy to enter the field of play.

    “I`m hoping for more Premier League minutes. I have to work hard in training and then hopefully the manager will introduce me again so that I can show what I can do.”

  • Kelechi Iheanacho makes EPL debut

    Kelechi Iheanacho makes EPL debut

    NIGERIA youth international Kelechi Iheanacho made his English Premier League debut for Manchester City on Saturday in a 2-0 win over Odion Ighalo’s Watford.

    The 18-year-old Iheanacho was an 89th minute substitute for Raheem Sterling.

    The Most Valuable Player (MVP) at FIFA U17 Championship in 2013 has been unused substitute in all Manchester City’s league games this season.

    Last season, he played for City’s developmental team before he was granted a work permit.

    Manchester City set a club record of 10 successive league victories by maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-0 win over Watford at Eastlands on Saturday.

    Raheem Sterling’s first competitive goal for City since his £49 million move from Liverpool set up the win early in the second half, before Fernandinho added a second with a fierce drive to end the newly-promoted visitors’ unbeaten league start.

    Manuel Pellegrini’s side are three points clear at the top of the table after winning their first four league matches of the season without conceding a goal.

    The run of 10 victories, stretching back to April, beat a record set in 1912.

    They were patient in breaking down a dogged but limited Watford side, and by the end of the match were showing the attacking verve which has made them the early favourites to win the title.

    City are about to add to that threat with the £52 million signing from Wolfsburg of Kevin De Bruyne, who flew into Manchester on Saturday for a medical, and his arrival is bound to sharpen up a side who struggled in the first half despite plenty of possession.

    Pellegrini had warned in his programme notes that Quique Flores would bring a disciplined, hard-working side to Eastlands and he was proved right.

    Watford were well-organised and difficult to break down, with Etienne Capoue and Valon Behrami working hard in midfield to shield the back four.

    Pellegrini’s side had to be patient, even as they enjoyed plenty of possession, but after a frustrating opening 20 minutes, they began to create chances.

    Aleksandar Kolarov lifted a free kick over the bar and, moments later, Craig Cathcart got across to block when Fernandinho and Yaya Toure combined to send in Raheem Sterling down the right.

  • Kelechi Iheanacho makes EPL debut

    Kelechi Iheanacho makes EPL debut

    NIGERIA youth international Kelechi Iheanacho made his English Premier League debut for Manchester City on Saturday in a 2-0 win over Odion Ighalo’s Watford.

    The 18-year-old Iheanacho was an 89th minute substitute for Raheem Sterling.

    The Most Valuable Player (MVP) at FIFA U17 Championship in 2013 has been unused substitute in all Manchester City’s league games this season.

    Last season, he played for City’s developmental team before he was granted a work permit.

    Manchester City set a club record of 10 successive league victories by maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-0 win over Watford at Eastlands on Saturday.

    Raheem Sterling’s first competitive goal for City since his £49 million move from Liverpool set up the win early in the second half, before Fernandinho added a second with a fierce drive to end the newly-promoted visitors’ unbeaten league start.

    Manuel Pellegrini’s side are three points clear at the top of the table after winning their first four league matches of the season without conceding a goal.

    The run of 10 victories, stretching back to April, beat a record set in 1912.

    They were patient in breaking down a dogged but limited Watford side, and by the end of the match were showing the attacking verve which has made them the early favourites to win the title.

    City are about to add to that threat with the £52 million signing from Wolfsburg of Kevin De Bruyne, who flew into Manchester on Saturday for a medical, and his arrival is bound to sharpen up a side who struggled in the first half despite plenty of possession.

    Pellegrini had warned in his programme notes that Quique Flores would bring a disciplined, hard-working side to Eastlands and he was proved right.

    Watford were well-organised and difficult to break down, with Etienne Capoue and Valon Behrami working hard in midfield to shield the back four.

    Pellegrini’s side had to be patient, even as they enjoyed plenty of possession, but after a frustrating opening 20 minutes, they began to create chances.

    Aleksandar Kolarov lifted a free kick over the bar and, moments later, Craig Cathcart got across to block when Fernandinho and Yaya Toure combined to send in Raheem Sterling down the right.