We're preparing without Iheanacho - Manu Garba

The Flying Eagles trainer insists his side is preparing for the Fifa U20 World Cup in New Zealand without the 18-year-old due to fitness concerns

EXCLUSIVE
By Samuel Ahmadu

Head coach of Nigeria's U20 national team, Manu Garba has told Goal that his side is preparing for life without hot starlet Kelechi Iheanacho at the upcoming Fifa U20 World Cup in New Zealand that starts on May 30.

Iheanacho, who missed the African Youth Championship in Senegal due to injury, is unlikely to be available for the World Cup if he fails to reach full fitness in time. But the former Golden Eaglets gaffer insists they are still hopeful just as the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner and his English club side.

"I'm just hearing from you about 'the condition given by Manchester City before his release'. I can't tell you anything about Iheanacho because I have not gotten any official report on him. We are focused on the players we've already gotten to represent the country," Garba told Goal.

"I cannot discuss about his progress because I’m not with him neither do we know his state of fitness. Though I've been in contact, the boy is very keen in coming to play for the country.

"Same way the club (Man City) are also eager to see him play, though they insist he must be fit and injury-free before being released. They did promise to release him as soon as they attest to his fitness. If they do, we are always happy and ready to have in the team," the former Gombe United gaffer continued.

"At the moment, we are focused on preparing the players we have on ground for the U20 World Cup. We are hopeful on having him in the team to contribute his best to helping the country at the World Cup.

"The NFF are doing everything they can do in ensuring his release. But this technical crew is focused on working with the players available to ensure the country succeeds at the championship in case he is not fit," he concluded.

Earlier, assistant coach Nduka Ugbade had told Goal that the midfielder had returned to full training at Manchester City and he is likely to feature in Monday's FA Youth Cup final second leg clash with Chelsea.

Ugbade said: "The Sports Director of Manchester City told us Iheanacho is okay, but they want him play the one or two games without any injury concerns because they have given their words to allow him to join us to the training camp in Germany if he is fully fit."

He further confirmed that the pair of Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon, who play for KRC Genk of Belgium, will join the Flying Eagles in Germany due to their club's chase of a UEFA Champions League ticket have delayed them from teaming up with the U20 national side as well as Isaac Success of Spanish outfit Granada.

The African representatives are drawn in Group E alongside Brazil, North Korea and Hungary.

Coach Manu Garba's side will begin their campaign for glory in the international youth competition against Brazil at the Taranaki Stadium, New Plymouth on June 1.