2013 U17 World Cup Winner Suggests Best Position For Iheanacho; Reveals Rohr's Failed Promise

Published: November 10, 2020

2013 U17 World Cup-winning midfielder Abdullahi Alfa reckons that Kelechi Iheanacho is better off as a support striker than a number 10.

The Leicester City star was utilised as an advanced playmaker operating on the wings during the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup and showed off his qualities in that position by setting up seven goals as the Golden Eaglets won the tournament a record fourth time.

Alfa was delighted with the progress Iheanacho has made in his career since winning the adidas Silver Boot and adidas Golden Ball seven years ago in the United Arab Emirates.

"Iheanacho is a nice guy, he is a professional and the level over there you must work hard and he's really doing good and I wish him success," Alfa told allnigeriasoccer.com.

"For me, second striker will be good for him but coaches decide what they want, they took him as a number 9 and he's working hard, he's scoring goals as you can see."

Alfa was one of three Nigeria youngsters scouted by Gernot Rohr during a Europa League qualifier between Bordeaux and FK Ventspils in August 2018 but the Super Eagles manager did not keep his promise of inviting them to the national teams.

"Actually Rohr told us he was going to invite us but we are still waiting for the invitation and nothing came. Maybe in future," the Liepaja star explained.

Two days ago, on Sunday, Liepaja beat Dele Alampasu's Ventspils 1-0 after extra time to win the Latvian Cup but Alfa was left out of the matchday squad for tactical reasons.

"I met Alampasu, we talked a lot and I told him we're going to win, he said no. I told him any team I play for we always win the Cup.

"I left there just few months ago. I am here now, we've won the Cup," Alfa concluded.

Football College Abuja product Alfa was a member of the Flying Eagles squad that won the 2015 U20 AFCON in Senegal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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