Keshi: Iheanacho Not Ripe For Brazil 2014

Keshi: Iheanacho Not Ripe For Brazil 2014

: Dec 03, 2013

Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi says Golden Eaglets star player, Kelechi Iheanacho is not ripe enough to play in next year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Iheanacho was immense for Nigeria in their U17 World Cup triumph, scoring six goals and winning the golden ball after being named the best player in the tournament.

And while Keshi admits the youngster has been impressive at U/17 level, he is unsure as to whether Iheanacho would cope on the biggest stage of all should he be included in the squad for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

"He is a fantastic player and he has very good qualities to become one of the best footballers in the world from his performance at the Under-17 World Cup," Keshi told SuperSport.

"But we need to ask if he is ready to play at the very highest level of football right now considering the weight of expectation that might follow such.

"It should be recognised that the Under-17 tournament is a developmental phase for Kelechi and other players in that team."

The Super Eagles coach added that Iheanacho will likely be left out of the squad, but has backed the 17-year-old to develop into a brilliant player.

"What he needs now is to start playing regularly for a team so that he remains in top shape as a footballer and continue to develop into top class footballer," Keshi added.

"As for considering him for the World Cup camp, that doesn't look real right now."