Afcon 2023: Peseiro denies rift with Iheanacho as Song confesses good relationship with Onana and says we don’t fear Osimhen

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has described as false insinuations in certain quarters that Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, is in the bad books.

During a pre-match conference on Friday, Peseiro dispelled the rift speculation adding that he would not have invited the player for the tournament if the reports were true.

 “If something happened between me and Kelechi, he wouldn’t have come, he would have stayed back at Leicester,” Peseiro said.

 “You know about Kelechi’s injury. He was recovering during our camping, he arrived at 4:30 am (on the day of the opener). He started collective work with us one day later. That is the reason.

“When a player recovers, the coach and medical staff need to manage to see if he’s fit or not, ready or not, it’s clear. Easy answer as a coach but for you of course you cannot understand that.

“Kelechi, we believe too much in him and he’s going to play and going to score.”

Before the start of the Afcon, Iheanacho was arguably the most influential player in the Eagles since the end of last year, having scored or assisted in each of his last five appearances for the team.

Elsewhere, Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has denied rumours of any new rift with goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Onana is also at risk of being benched again on Saturday for the last-16 tie against Nigeria.

Onana was allowed to miss Cameroon’s first match to play for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14 but played in the Indomitable Lions’ second Group C game against Senegal, conceding three goals and being dropped for their last group match against Gambia on Tuesday.

 “I have no problem with my goalkeepers. They are all competitive and ready to respond when they need to play. There is no controversy. They get along very well,” Song told a press conference on Friday, without saying whether Onana might be restored to the goal for the last-16 game on Saturday.

Song added that defence would be all-important against Nigeria, whose powerful attack is led by reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen.

Song said his team will respect Osimhen, but warned they don’t fear the Napoli striker.

“Osimhen is a big player. We know him and respect him. But respecting him doesn’t mean that we should fear him.”

We have already conceded six goals and tomorrow we will find the formula to not concede.

“We will try to put Nigeria in difficulty and fight to continue in the competition. I know what needs to be done so that we do everything possible tomorrow to obtain a positive result.”

Meanwhile, Nigerian fans on the social platform, X, have clamoured for the Manchester United shot-stopper to start against the Eagles.

A Nigerian man with the username, @Mbahdeyforyou, wrote, “Cameroon must play Onana against Nigeria if not we won’t accept.”

Social media influencer @_VALKlNG said he had placed a bet on Onana conceding goals, writing, “Osimhen vs Onana, I sold my car for this game on SPARK; Onana will concede plenty, I am very sure.”