Leicester City’s forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, has declared his readiness for the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2023 AFCON group stage match against hosts Ivory Coast.
Despite arriving late to the camp due to fitness concerns, Iheanacho was spotted training with the team ahead of the clash scheduled for Thursday, January 18, at 6 p.m.
Having sustained an injury while playing for Leicester in December, Iheanacho faced doubts about his participation in Ivory Coast.
Coach Jose Peseiro opted to bench him in the Eagles’ recent 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on January 14.
In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Iheanacho emphasized his readiness to contribute to Nigeria’s success, stating, “I am feeling really good… I am 100% ready to serve the country.”
Acknowledging the challenges, he added, “We want to go all the way in this AFCON, but we have to take it one game at a time. We just need to keep working hard and keep believing.”
Looking ahead to the crucial clash against Ivory Coast, Iheanacho highlighted the need for thorough preparation, recognizing the strength of the host team.
“Going into the next game, we need to be ready to face the Ivorians. They are the hosts, and they are going to go out strong. So, we need to be well-prepared to face them.”
