Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr has cut Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho out from his final 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.Iheanacho, 22, was included in the German tactician’s provisional squad despite a poor season in the Premier League with the Foxes during the 2018/19 season.
However, the former Manchester City man, who’s scored eight goals in 23 senior caps will have to bide his time for a debut at the continental showpiece after being omitted alongside Semi Ajayi of Rotherham United. It marks a major blow to the young forward who was expected to become the Super Eagles talisman after bursting onto the scene with the Citizens in the 2015/16 season under Manuel Pellegrini.
The three-time champions will play in Group B at the Nations Cup, alongside Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi and kickoff their campaign on June 22 against the Squirrels at the Alexandria Stadium. Nigeria’s 23-man squad, as announced by the
NFF:Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa) Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany) Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Middlesbrough, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain)
