'It's important for them to play' - Rodgers confirms release of Iheanacho, Ndidi to NFF for AFCON

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi will be released to the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The holding midfielder and striker will hop on a plane bound for the country's capital Abuja immediately after the Foxes Premier League meeting with Norwich City on January 1, 2022 to link up with the Super Eagles at the pre-Africa Cup of Nations training camp.

Although Rodgers has recognized that his options would be limited if his African players join up with their national teams, the Northern Irish football tactician has underlined the importance of the players featuring in the continental showpiece.

In addition to Iheanacho and Ndidi, Rodgers will not be able to count on Daniel Amartey (Ghana) and Nampalys Mendy (Senegal) during the tournament in Cameroon.

Asked at the post-match press conference after last night's win versus Liverpool if Amartey and Ndidi are going after this weekend's game, Rodgers told reporters : "Kelechi as well, he'll go. Nampalys Mendy, Wilfred and Daniel, they will go after the weekend's game."

Quizzed on how much it will hurt him, Rodgers said : "It will hurt a lot of course because of the situation we are in.

"However, it's important for them to play, you know they love playing in this competition and it's important for them to be playing for the country.

"They give everything and then they'll go away and hopefully do well over there."

Iheanacho could make his Africa Cup of Nations debut in Nigeria's opener against Egypt on January 11, while Ndidi will be participating his second tournament after helping the Super Eagles win bronze in Egypt in 2019.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel