'I'd like to be a proper No. 10' - Iheanacho tells Eguavoen ahead of Afcon qualifier against Rwanda

Ahead of Nigeria's 2025 dead-rubber 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda in Uyo, Sevilla forward Kelechi Iheanacho has suggested that he is being played out of position by the national team coaches. 

Interim Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen deployed the Manchester City academy graduate as a forward for the start of the Afcon qualifier against Benin's Cheetahs, but he was a shadow of himself and was substituted at halftime.

Iheanacho was utilized 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 in United Arab Emirates.

Since beginning his professional career in Europe in 2015, Iheanacho has primarily been tasked with scoring goals rather than unlocking defenses.

The Taye Academy product, who is blessed with versatility, has been deployed in multiple positions by the national team coaches, as a support striker, center forward, right winger and attacking midfielder. 

Iheanacho sent a message to Eguavoen before the caretaker manager announced his starting lineup for Monday evening's clash against the Wasps, revealing that he prefers to operate in a number 10 role.

In an interview with the Super Eagles media team and Victor Modo, Iheanacho said: "Managers might think different, wherever they put me I play. I'm serving the country, I'm playing. Anywhere I find myself I just go there and do my job.

"For me personally, in the national team I would like to be a number 10, obviously a proper number 10, so it depends on the formation any manager is playing, you have to adapt to it as a football player.

"I'm a proper number 10 in the national team, that's my best position in the national team. In the club, it's different, I'm a number 9 but sometimes I play number 10."

In 55 appearances for the Super Eagles, 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner Iheanacho has registered fifteen goals while producing eight assists.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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