Manchester City has announced they will not release Kelechi Iheanacho for the 2015 African Youth Championship in March as he is injured.
They also informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) compatriot Chidiebere Nwakali will also not be available for the U20 tournament to be staged by Senegal.
Both players were among nine foreign-based pros called up by the Flying Eagles for the AYC, which is not on the FIFA calendar.
In a mail signed by City scouting and recruitment operations manager, Fergal Harkin, the EPL side said Iheanacho is injured and may not be fit till mid-March, while Nwakali is about to be loaned out to a club in Europe.
“With regards Kelechi Iheanacho, he is currently injured. We believe he will be fit around the middle of March but can keep in contract regarding his recovery,” read Tuesday’s mail in part.
“For Chidiebere Nwakali, we are currently in the process of agreeing his loan deal to Europe and he will not be available to meet up with the national team until further notice.
“At this moment in time, we feel it is best for his development that he cements his place in the club side.”
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