“He’s still out” – Leicester boss casts doubts over Kelechi Iheanacho’s AFCON participation

Kelechi Iheanacho had a great start to life with Leicester City in the EFL Championships and has helped them to the top of the table this season.

Super Eagles and Leicester striker, Kelechi Iheanacho is yet to recover from the muscle injury he picked up and is still out, Soccernet.ng reports.

Iheanacho, 27, has had a mixed season so far under Enzo Maresca this season. He enjoyed an abundance of playing time at the start of the season, but has seen his playing time reduce since Patson Daka returned from injury.

The future of the ex-Manchester City with Leicester City isn’t clear either, with his current contract expiring in June, and he has been linked with a move to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in recent weeks.

Iheanacho last played for Leicester in their 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day and since then has been out with a muscle injury.

Jose Peseiro included the Leicester City striker in his AFCON 2023 final 25-man squad list with the hopes that he’ll be back to full fitness before the Super Eagles kick off their campaign in Ivory Coast.

Speaking ahead of Leicester’s game against Coventry City, the head coach, Enzo Maresca mentioned Iheanacho is still out with an injury.

“Vardy is back, Kasey is back and Dennis is back. The only ones out are Jamie and Kelechi, still out, both of them,” the Italian said in quotes revealed by the club’s official website.

This comes as a big blow for Jose Peseiro after he’s had to replace Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar who had to travel to their respective clubs due to injuries.

Leicester City insist they won’t allow Iheanacho travel until he’s confirmed to be fully fit, leaving Peseiro in a frenzy as he can only hope the versatile forward is fit, or draft in a late replacement for him.