Eguavoen Finally Reveals Heartbreaking Reason That Made Him Bench Iheanacho in Abuja Against Ghana

Eguavoen Finally Reveals Heartbreaking Reason That Made Him Bench Iheanacho in Abuja Against Ghana

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:59 PM
  • Kelechi Iheanacho has been blamed by Austin Eguavoen for Super Eagles' goalless draw against Ghana in Kumasi
  • Eguavoen who was recently disengaged by the NFF explained that Iheanacho failed to play to instructions
  • The Leicester City star however returned to his Premier League club and scored against Manchester United

Former Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has explained that Kelechi Iheanacho failed to play according to instructions in Kumasi in the first leg of the World Cup play-offs against Ghana.

The former international stated that that was the reason he had to put the Leicester City star on the bench in the return leg played at the MKO Abiola stadium in Abuja.

It is no longer news that Super Eagles of Nigeria won't be going to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as they have lost the ticket to the Black Stars of Ghana.

Eguavoen, Iheanacho, Super Eagles, Ghana, World Cup play-offs.
Eguavoen says Iheanacho did not play to instruction against Ghana in Kumasi. Photo by Jamie Squire
Source: Getty Images

But many Nigerians are still battling to come to terms reason Eguavoen and his wards failed to beat Ghana in the World Cup play-offs.

What was the result of the first leg?

The Black Stars hosted the Super Eagles in the first leg in Kumasi and it ended in goalless draw even though the Nigerian players missed some scoring chances.

According to the report on GOAL, Eguavoen said he was not satisfied with Iheanacho's game in the first leg against Ghana.

Eguavoen's reaction about Iheanacho

"In Kumasi, we gave Iheanacho a specific role. In as much as he's going to go up there and support Victor Osimhen, he has a duty to perform by stopping Thomas Partey.
"Since he didn't do that, I spoke with him. I told him he'll start from the bench and at some point he'll come in."

Taiwo Awoniyi set to become highest ever transfer for top European giants

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi is now on the verge of becoming Union Berlin's highest ever transfer in their history if them should get him sold in the summer for €30 million.

Since the Nigerian striker made a permanent transfer to Union Berlin from Liverpool last summer, he has been impressive with many fans even blaming the Reds to have sold him.

However, failure for him to get work permit blocked Taiwo Awoniyi's chances of playing any game for Liverpool before he was sold.

Union Berlin chiefs have agreed to sell Taiwo Awoniyi at the end of the season as clubs are now expected to enter race for his signature.

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Ibitoye Shittu
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