Apart from the vocal Nigeria football fans, Rohr has of late come under intense pressure to drop Ighalo in favour of Iheanacho, even from within the Eagles technical crew. Atop assistant of the Franco-German tactician last week said, “I can’t categorically say it will happen but I can confirm to you that talks have been held and the prospect of Iheanacho leading the line against Zambia is a possibility.”
He further informed that “talks didn’t start because of his(Iheanacho’s) recent goal scoring form, not at all. It started since after the Tanzania game. Rohr is a big fan of his finishing abilities right from the training ground. He could lead the line ahead of Ighalo and Ideye in Ndola when we play Zambia in October,” he said.
On Thursday, Rohr released a list of 23 players invited for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash between the Super Eagles and Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Ndola.
Conspicuously missing was Watford forward, Odion Ighalo, who will attend his father’s burial in Nigeria on Saturday, 8th October, the eve of the big match at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
With this development, Kelechi Iheanacho becomes the natural choice for the top striker’s role, except Rohr decides to use Olympiacos of Greece forward, Brown Ideye for the role. However, between Iheanacho and Ideye, we gathered the Super Eagles technical crew will rather go for the Manchester City starlet whose rich vein of form has seen him net four goals in five matches for club and country.
“Iheanacho has earned his number one position in the Eagles set up,” a top official of the powerful NFF technical committee echoed, adding that Ighalo’s absence will be an opportunity for the goal monger to prove his mettle”.
Given the lad’s consistency and ability to take chances when they come his way, Iheanacho, it is believed will make a feast of the opportunity. “He is sure to make a meal of it,” our source said, adding, “with the support of another youthful player in Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Iheanacho is sure to utilise the opportunity beckoning on him.”
The Franco-German tactician retained belief in the squad that pipped Tanzania 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo on 3rd September, but has added Alanyaspor of Turkey defender Kenneth Omeruo, Belgium –based midfielder Anderson Esiti and English Premiership duo Isaac Success and Alex Iwob
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