Leicester City coach, Enzo Maresca, has disclosed that Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho might not feature at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament after picking up an injury.
The ex-Manchester City striker made the final 25-man AFCON squad list released by Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, but doubts have been cast over the striker’s participation in the tournament after his club coach revealed he picked up an injury.
The 27-year-old started the season on a bright note for the Foxes, scoring five goals and assisting one in ten starts this season, aiding the team to a promotion charge, but since the beginning of last month, has been featuring as a fringe player for the club.
Iheanacho who has been one of Leicester City’s outstanding players this season was left out of the squad in the 2-0 win over Cardiff City in the Championship game on Friday.
With Iheanacho set to play a significant role for Peseiro’s troops at AFCON, Maresca has revealed that he suffered a muscle injury in Leicester’s 1-1 draw against Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town on Boxing Day, highlighting that the striker is still going through examinations to determine the severity of the injury.
“Kelechi has a muscle problem two days ago. We are still waiting to see if it’s something important or a matter of days, but I don’t think he will be available for the game against Huddersfield.
“We don’t know yet (if it will affect his AFCON call-up) It depends on the injury. If it’s an important injury, he has no chance to go. If it’s not important, he can go,” the Italian said in his post-match conference in quotes revealed by Leicester Mercury.
This news comes as a blow to Jose Peseiro and the Super Eagles as a whole, as Iheanacho is a pivotal part of the team, and they’ll be keeping their hopes up as the AFCON tournament is just thirteen days away.
The Africa soccer fiesta kicks off January 13th, 2024, in Côte d’Ivoire with Nigeria bidding for a fourth continental title.
The Super Eagles have been drawn to face hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in Group A of the showpiece.
Nigeria last won the AFCON in 2013 under the guidance of late player turned coach Stephen Keshi after defeating Burkina Faso1-0, thanks to Sunday Mba‘a winning goal.
