City Frustrate Siasia Over Iheanacho
Under-23 national team, Naija Eagles head coach, Samson Yebowei Siasia has admitted he is getting frustrated by the antics of Manchester City of England, who he says are reluctant to release Kelechi Iheanacho for the Olympic Games this August.
Sia1 has made Iheanacho one of his choice prospects for thrills art Rio 2016, but the Beijing 2008 Olympics silver medal winning coach says the chances of getting the youngster to line out in green-and-white this summer appear slim.
This is despite previous reports that Iheanacho has indicated interest in playing for Nigeria in Rio, ahead of which Siasia says The Citizens are delaying their confirmation of the player’s release for the competition.
Siasia admitted that Man City are obviously reluctant to allow the 19-year-old rising star, who scored 14 goals in 35 appearances in a highly remarkable debut season for the Citizens.
In an ongoing rigmarole, Siasia says City are yet to reply an official letter from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over Iheanacho’s availability and the club could stop him from being in The Samba Nation. He said: “The Nigeria Football Federation has written several letters wanting to know when the player would be released for the Games in Brazil but as I speak with you the club has not replied.
“So for now I cannot confidently tell you that Iheanacho would be available for the Olympics. Although we are not relenting on the issue as the NFF is fighting tooth and nail to ensure we have our best players for the Olympics.
“Kelechi also told me he is anxious to play in the Olympics and I am sure with much pressure the boy would be released eventually. But for now I cannot tell you he will be in the Olympics.”
However, a credible source confirmed on Monday that Iheanacho’s participation at the Olympics has been cast in doubt with his plan to resume pre-season with Man City early next month.
Siasia listed Iheanacho in his provisional squad for the Games, but the player’s participation has been put in further doubt with his impeding return to England for pre-season.
“We’re really not sure if he will go to the Olympic Games or not because he is scheduled to return to England for pre-season.
“It will depend on the arrangement the NFF will have with Manchester City which I’m not sure of but I’m sure he will start the pre-season with City,” the source told AfricanFootball.com.
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