AYC| Ihenacho and Nwakali excluded from Flying Eagles team.
Manchester City will not be releasing Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali for the 2015 African Youth Championship billed for Senegal in March.
This is what many feel is a big blow on the preparations of the Flying Eagles squad currently in training in Kaduna and hoping to have the full compliment of invited foreign pros by Thursday, January 15.
Manchester City’s decision not to release Ihenacho and Nwakali was communicated to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday via a mail signed by the club’s scouting and recruitment operations manager, Fergal Harkin who stated that Iheanacho is injured while for Nwakal on his part is on the verge of a loan move and cannot be released for national team duties now.
“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 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.
It is yet to be seen if Coach Manu Garba will get any replacements for the duo or will simply make do with what is on ground.