'He's not living up to expectations' - Eguavoen admits after Iheanacho dropped another stinker v Rwanda

Nigeria's caretaker manager Augustine Eguavoen has admitted that Kelechi Iheanacho had a poor performance during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin's Cheetahs and Rwanda's Wasps.

Despite taking the lead through Samuel Chukwueze's brilliant solo goal, Nigeria's unbeaten run in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers ended at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo as the Wasps came from behind to secure an unlikely win, thanks to goals from Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti.

Iheanacho dropped a stinker of a performance as the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Benin last Thursday, and was substituted at halftime when Eguavoen decided to switch the formation from a 3-4-3 to a 4-3-3.

There have been calls for the Sevilla forward to be excluded from the national team for future matches due to his poor form for club and country, making his inclusion in the starting lineup on Monday evening surprising.

Against Rwanda, the Manchester City academy graduate was substituted at halftime for Samuel Chukwueze.

However, Eguavoen clarified that the change was not due to his performance, as the substitution was premeditated. 

Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference, Eguavoen said: "Kelechi just needed somebody to build his confidence, he's an asset to Nigeria. We've given him a lot of opportunities but he's not living up to expectations. We cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater.

"Kelechi needs some encouragement. For the fact that we were playing at home and leading the group, I spoke to him personally, try to get a goal, I am going to give you forty-five minutes, afterwards Chukwueze will come in.

"The pressure on Kelechi because of the utterances from our people, I try as much as possible to make him feel comfortable but it didn't work."

Iheanacho has neither scored nor assisted in his last seven appearances for the Super Eagles and has failed to register a goal in seven La Liga matches since joining Sevilla in the summer transfer window. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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