Iheanacho to Battle Aguero for City Shirt

Iheanacho (right) is determined to make Manchester City first eleven

Nigeria starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, has turned down a chance to go on loan from top English Premier League side Manchester City, preferring instead to battle the likes of Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko for a first-team place at Etihad.
An inside source at City told AfricanFootball.com Iheanacho, who has been granted work permit in the United Kingdom, was given the option to go on loan so as to play regular first-team football and then return to the club a lot more experienced.
But he turned down this chance, insisting he would rather stay back at the club and fight to make the first team.

“He refused to go on loan. He and his representatives have told City he would rather battle the likes of Aguero and Dzeko for a place in the first team,” revealed the source.

“His compatriot, Chidiebere Nwakali, opted for a loan move away to Malaga because his management team believe he has to gain experience outside the club before he could really challenge for a place in the City main team.”

The 18-year-old Iheanacho, who is bound for this month’s FIFA U20 World Cup with Nigeria, was a big hit during City’s pre-season tour of the USA in the summer.

He has fully recovered from injuries to score goals for Manchester City U19 and U21 teams recently.

Meanwhile, Skipper Musa Muhammed has maintained there are no automatic shirts in the Flying Eagles for the U-20 World Cup and competition for places has been fierce as the deadline for the submission of a final squad draws nearer.
The Flying Eagles have to announce a final 21-man on Friday, May 15.

“Yes, there is a lot of tension in the team, every one of us is fighting to make the final squad,” Muhammed said in an interview published by thenff.com

“We are all putting our lives on the line to be on the flight to New Zealand. The coaches now have the chance to pick the best to represent Nigeria.

“No one has an automatic shirt in the team, we all have to fight to be selected and the competition has been very fierce.
“The coach picks the team and I will be very proud and happy to make the final squad.”

The right fullback led Nigeria to win a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup two years ago in the United Arab Emirates and was top scorer with four goals at the recent African Youth Championship in Senegal.