Iheanacho's return from AFCON duty: Nigeria Football Federation leave Leicester City hanging 

Leicester City are still awaiting feedback from the Nigeria Football Federation on the return of Kelechi Iheanacho to the East Midlands after international duty with the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The Super Eagles were in Abuja on Tuesday and hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who awarded the players the prestigious Member of the Order of the Niger(MON) national honour for their second place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Iheanacho was a bit-part player during the tournament in Ivory Coast, having made only two appearances off the bench and the highlight of his performance was netting the game-winning penalty in the shootout win against South Africa in the semifinals. 

The 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner missed Leicester City's wins over Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town due to fitness issues and was unavailable for the last eight games played by the Foxes due to his international commitments with the Super Eagles at the 2023 AFCON. 

He missed the whole of the Super Eagles training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates as he was receiving treatment at Leicester City and linked up with the Super Eagles squad in Abidjan in the hours leading up to their opening game against Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking after Leicester City's win over Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Tuesday, manager Enzo Maresca was hoping Iheanacho would be available for selection when they take on Middlesbrough on Saturday. 

In quotes related by Leicestershire Live, Maresca stated: "We are trying to contact the Nigerian federation. We are still waiting for an answer. Hopefully he can be back tomorrow or in two days".

Iheanacho has directly participated in eight goals (6 goals, 2 assists) in twenty one appearances across all competitions for Leicester City so far this season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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