Man City Desperate to Sign Nigerian Wonder Kid Kelechi Iheanacho

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Sports News Friday, July 25th, 2014

Manuel Pellegrini is confident Manchester City can cut the red tape and sign Nigerian wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho.

Iheanacho scored in Man City’s 4-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday.

The former Golden Eaglets attacking midfielder starred at the Under 17 World Cup last year.

The 17 year-old caught the eye in Manchester City’s 4-1 friendly win over Sporting Kansas City on Thursday after playing almost full game as the EPL champions began their tour of the USA against the MLS champions.

Iheanacho scored a late goal with an accomplished finish and produced an eye-catching performance.

However, Iheanacho, who was praised by Manuel Pellegrini after the game, is having difficulties over work permit.

The midfielder is just 17-years-old and he is a product of the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. It is a registered charity that has been providing underprivileged African footballers with the opportunity for elite training programmes and international education.

City have a positive relationship with the set-up and another forward, Godsway Donyoh, signed for City from there in January.

It seems, then, that City have great hopes for the young playmaker.

He joined the squad on the trip to Scotland for games against Dundee and Hearts and was then invited into Manuel Pellegrini’s 23-man squad for the tour of the United States.

Another Nigerian Chidiebere Nwakali, also went to Scotland.

The Nigerian attacking midfielder has been tipped for big things in the future.

At the Under 17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year, he scored six goals in seven matches, winning the Silver Boot as the second highest goalscorer and the Golden Ball as the best player.

After scoring for Manchester City on Thursday, Manuel Pellegrini said: ‘Kelechi is just 17 years old and he’s a very important player for us in the future. He demonstrated today what he can do in the future. It depends on the way he takes this profession, but I think he’s a good talent. He’s a very important player for the future for the club.’

City are looking into whether they can secure a work permit for Iheanacho but they may have to loan him out to a club overseas until he is eligible to play in England.