2023 AFCON Nigeria v Cameroon: Is it time to unleash Kelechi Iheanacho?

A heavyweight AFCON clash sees Nigeria meet five-time champions Cameroon with a quarterfinal spot at stake on Saturday.

With chances likely to be at a premium against conservative opponents in a knockout stage encounter, Super Eagles boss Jose Peseiro has an intriguing decision to make regarding unleashing Kelechi Iheanacho from the start.

The Leicester City striker is yet to be utilized in the field of play by the national team gaffer for rather unclear reasons but there is no doubt whatsoever about the class and quality he brings to the Super Eagles attack.

His blend of crafty movement, silky touch, and clinical finishing could prove vital breaking the resilience of Cameroon's stubborn backline.

Against a well-drilled defense, Peseiro requires his forward players to move cleverly and combine intuitively to manufacture openings.

While Victor Osimhen offers raw pace to race behind, Iheanacho brings sophistication to unpick locks with intricate passing exchanges.

Iheanacho drifting between the lines presents the missing link to connect attacks. Osimhen cleverly occupying center-backs creates space for the Leicester City striker to operate in pockets to thread defence-splitting passes as well as occasionally playing as a right winger.

Against anticipated cagey opponents, Nigeria requires guile and craft as much as any physical attributes.

Kelechi Iheanacho brings that ingenuity and finishing touch in abundance to unlock defences if unleashed from the outset.

Ejim Kaycee

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