NFF, Man City set for war over Iheanacho, Nwakali

It’s a ploy to weaken our team, says NFF
THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to contest Manchester City’s decision not to release the duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali for Flying Eagles’ campaign in the 2015 African Youth Championship holding in Senegal in March.
The English Premiership side Tuesday informed the NFF through a mail signed by its scouting and recruitment operations manager, Fergal Harkin, that Iheanacho is injured and may not be fit till mid-March, while Nwakali is about to be loaned out to a club in Europe.
But the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick told The Guardian on phone Tuesday that the federation would not accept such decision saying: “No, no. We will write to contest it.”
Both players were among nine foreign-based professionals called up by the Flying Eagles for the AYC.
Manchester City said in part of its mail to the NFF Tuesday: “With regards Kelechi Iheanacho, he is currently injured. We believe he will be fit around the middle of March, but can keep in contract regarding his recovery.
“For Chidiebere Nwakali, we are currently in the process of agreeing his loan deal to Europe and he will not be available to meet up with the national team until further notice.
“At this moment in time, we feel it is best for his development that he cements his place in the club side,” Harkin said.
Pinnick said that Manchester City’s decision to hold on to Iheanacho and Nwakali might be a ploy to weaken the Flying Eagles’ team, adding that the federation would do everything possible to get to the root of the matter.
“They (Man City) don’s own the players. They are Nigerians and we have our doctors to examine whether or not Iheanacho will be fit to play in the AYC. This present board of NFF will not accept such ploy and we will make our position known to them as quickly as possible.” Pinnick said.
Iheanacho was a member of the Nigeria U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets to the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which the country won in the United Arabs Emirates. He entertained the world with his skills and most especially his goals celebration, where he raises his hands high above the head over and over to signal ‘Yes I’ve done it’.