Iheanacho Sets Sights on Premiership With Manchester City

  17-year-old Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho is with Manchester City from the Right to Dream Academy, based in Ghana. The Blues have close ties with the organisation and have previously signed Godsway Donyoh and Mohammed Abu from there. The academy is aimed at fostering the best African football talent, and on first look Iheanacho appears to be a great prospect. Up front against Sporting KC in City’s first tour match, he looked quick and mobile, pulling the home defenders all over the place. He certainly doesn’t lack confidence which he showed as he fired off a couple of powerful first half shots from his left-foot. The crowning moment was the goal. He timed his run onto Navas’ cross to perfection and guided his shot expertly inside the post, using the pace of his momentum and the cross to create the power rather than lashing at the ball. Manuel Pellegrini had no qualms about building up the expectation around the player afterwards, saying: “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.” Iheanacho is already targeting first team football with Manchester City and has agreed to sign permanently for the neighbours of Manchester United. Given his lack of international football, it will be quite difficult securing a work permit for the young prodigy. Iheanacho was voted best player at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup, where he scored six goals in seven matches as Nigeria won the title for a fourth time.