Man City stop Iheanacho, Nwakali ahead of AYC

Kelechi Iheanacho

English Premier League champions Manchester City have informed the Nigeria Football Federation that they will not release Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali for the 2015 African Youth Championship in March in Senegal.
 
Both players were among nine foreign-based pros called up by the Flying Eagles for the AYC.

The players were given a Thursday deadline to join up with the country’s U20s in their training camp in Kaduna.

But in a mail signed by City scouting and recruitment operations manager, Fergal Harkin, the EPL side said Iheanacho was injured and may not be fit till mid-March, while Nwakali is about to be loaned out to a club in Europe.

“With regards Kelechi Iheanacho, he is currently injured. We believe he will be fit around the middle of March but can keep in contract regarding his recovery,” read Tuesday’s mail to the NFF in part.

“For Chidiebere Nwakali, we are currently in the process of agreeing his loan deal to Europe and he will not be available to meet up with the national team until further notice.

“At this moment in time, we feel it is best for his development that he cements his place in the club side.”

Under FIFA rules, Man City are not obliged to release the players as the competition is an age-grade event.

Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will take on Nigeria National League side Spotlight of Katsina in another test game on Wednesday. The match will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna with the kick-off fixed for 11am.

Spotlight, who have defender Mustapha Abdullahi with the Nigeria U20 side, are gearing up for promotion to the Nigeria top flight in the forthcoming season.

The Katsina club, who placed 10th on the Nigeria National League Division A table, have made several top signings to match their ambitions.

Spotlight have been on a pre-season training tour of Kaduna and have so far won three and drawn three of their matches. Their own loss thus far was to Jamba Aacdemy, who beat them 2-1.

The Flying Eagles, who are getting set for the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal in March, are also likely to battle league champions Kano Pillars by the weekend also in Kaduna.

The Nigeria U20s are also billed to feature in an expanded Super 4 tournament in Abuja, which will begin next week. The other teams for the tourney are Nigeria U23 team, Pillars, Enyimba, Dolphin and Warri Wolves.

The Nigerian clubs are preparing for CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches in February.