Leicester Manager Guarantees Ndidi, Iheanacho for Nigeria’s AFCON Qualifiers
● Says former Eaglet crucial to Foxes Premier League top-four finish
Against the initial fears that Nigeria’s Super Eagles legion plying their trade in the English Premier League due to United Kingdom entry ban on some African countries Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted that the club would be permitting their Nigeria internationals Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho for international duties later this month.
The Leicester Boss said this at a press conference before his side’s Premier League meeting with Brighton & HoveAlbion today.
It was claimed in the local media that the Super Eagles could be without Premier League quartet Iheanacho, Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Semi Ajayi for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Republic of Benin and Lesotho because Nigeria was included in the list of countries from which entry to the United Kingdom is banned.
However, according to the UK Government official website, Nigeria and Republic of Benin are not among the 17 African countries included in the banned - ‘red list’ countries, meaning there’s a high possibility of Iheanacho and Ndidi linking up with the Super Eagles as from March 22.
When asked about the players going away on internationals, Rodgers told reporters: “We are awaiting more information on it. As we sit here today, we would certainly not want any of our players to be going into any country that is a red-list country that would mean they don’t play when they come back here.
“But as I said we are waiting for more information over the next week or so and then we can be clearer and make a judgement from there.”
Iheanacho was involved in Nigeria’s last two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches vs Sierra Leone but Ndidi was absent due to an injury.
Meanwhile, Rodgers has revealed that Iheanacho will be important for Leicester City in their last 11 games in the Premier League.
The Nigeria international has a tendency to come up and score crucial goals for Leicester City this season.
The Leicester City number 14 broke the deadlock in the win against Fulham, scored a brilliant equaliser in the recent draw against Burnley and netted a last-gasp winner against Brighton & Hove to help the Foxes book their place in the quarterfinals of the Emirates FA Cup. Rodgers said: “He is very important, it was a brilliant goal, the technique in that goal last night (Wednesday night) was outstanding.
“Kele chi always gives everything to the game when he plays and he works so, so hard.
“He’s scored some very important goals particularly of late, his goal and his importance is clearly there.”
Indeed, Ndidi has stated he was happy to assist Iheanacho score a sensational goal in their 1-1 draw with Burnley in a Premier League match at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening.
Eleven minutes before halftime, Iheanacho put the Foxes back on level terms with a fine finish, sending a superb firsttime volley into the net after Ndidi lofted a ball over the Burnley defence.
It was the first time Ndidi set up a goal scored by Iheanacho in the Premier League and he noted the importance of the goal, saying it helped them walk away with a share of the spoils.
Speaking to Leicester City’s official website, Ndidi said: “It was a really fantastic goal. I’m happy for him.
“I’ m glad I made the assist, but he finished it and it was good for the team, keeping the 1-1.”
Ndidi was initially deployed as a central defender in his last match against Burnley and has insisted that his preferred position is midfield.