Super Eagles manager, Jose Peseiro has explained his decision to bench Kelechi Iheanacho in the Super Eagles 2-0 win over the Indomitable Lions on Saturday night.
At his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Portuguese football tactician hinted at Iheanacho getting his first taste of action against Cameroon but the Leicester City striker remained rooted to the bench for the fourth consecutive game.
The former Manchester City star has caught the eye in his appearances for the national team since the end of last season with five-goal contributions in five games.
The fact that the Super Eagles were a goal up and needed to protect their lead was probably a huge factor as to why Iheanacho was benched against the Indomitable Lions, Peseiro has suggested.
However, nine minutes into extra time, another latecomer to the Super Eagles AFCON camp in Abidjan in Southampton loanee Paul Onuachu hopped off the bench to replace Victor Osimhen, raising more questions than answers regarding Iheanacho’s inactivity in the ongoing tournament.
“I explained yesterday. I know the value, quality and capacity of Kelechi. I don’t like to speak about individual situations because other players didn’t play also,” Peseiro told reporters.
“Kelechi arrived here without one collective practice. Thanks to Leicester for his recovery, brought him here but without collective training.
“If we needed to score today, it’s possible he would have entered but they didn’t need to score. I need to protect my goal, why put Kelechi if I’m fighting to win the match.
“Ahmed Musa, Samuel had very good games, today he didn’t play. Aribo played last match but didn’t play today. I cannot put 25 players,” he said.
Given that Ademola Lookman bagged a brace and Osimhen is undroppable, the chances of Iheanacho being named in the starting lineup against Angola on Friday are almost non-existent.
