AYC: Man City stop Iheanacho, Nwakali

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.