Afcon 2023: Leicester City casts doubt on Iheanacho’s fitness for Nigeria outing

By Wale Mustapha

Head Coach of Leicester City, Enzo Maresca has disclosed that Nigerian winger, Kelechi Iheanacho is still not fit to play football casting doubt on his availability to feature at the African Cup of Nations, AFCON with Super Eagles.

The 27-year-old forward has been injured since December while playing for the Foxes before being named in Jose Peseiro’s final squad for the tournament in Ivory Coast.

The Portuguese tactician said Iheanacho still stand a chance to make the tournament and expected to join the team in Abidjan.

However, his Leicester City manager while speaking ahead of their match against Coventry City this weekend said the Nigerian is among the players that are still being assessed on treatment bed.

“Vardy is back, Kasey is back and Dennis is back. The only ones out are Jamie and Kelechi, still out, both of them,” the Italian said.

Iheanacho missing the tournament will be a huge blow for Nigeria and Peseiro who have already lost the trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface and Umar Sadiq to injuries and will not be part of the tournament.

The Super Eagles will kick start their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in Abidjan.