Kelechi Iheanacho’s club future took an unexpected turn as the 28-year-old sealed a short-term move to Middlesbrough, a decision that has raised eyebrows within Nigerian football circles.
Having struggled to establish himself at Sevilla following his departure from Leicester City last summer, the forward opted for a return to England in search of regular football.
Middlesbrough edged out Scottish champions Celtic, managed by Brendan Rodgers who previously worked with Iheanacho at Leicester, to secure his signature.
The Nigeria forward’s move is designed to help him regain sharpness ahead of the summer, but whether it will be enough to salvage his Super Eagles career is another matter entirely.
Iheanacho’s time in Spain was underwhelming. His tally of three goals (all in the Copa del Rey) in 11 matches did little to make his case for regular starts, and the arrival of fellow Nigerian striker Akor Adams from Montpellier saw his chances of at the club dwindle even further.
He remains under contract with Sevilla until 2026, but his latest move suggests the Spanish club is already looking beyond him.
Where does this leave Iheanacho and the Super Eagles?
For a player once viewed as the future of Nigerian football, the reality is sobering. Iheanacho has not found the back of the net for Nigeria since November 2023, scoring against Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier. Since then, he has featured in just seven of Nigeria’s last 18 matches.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s attack has never been more competitive. Victor Osimhen remains the undisputed focal point, while Victor Boniface, Chuba Akpom, Tolu Arokodare, and Cyriel Dessers are all making strong cases for inclusion.
National team places are earned on merit, not sentiment, and at this stage, it is difficult to justify the former FIFA U-17 World Cup star’s continued presence in the squad.
With crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe just around the corner in March, head coach Eric Chelle has a major decision to make. Iheanacho’s current form and drop to the Championship make a compelling case for his omission.
Time to move on from Iheanacho
This wouldn’t be the first time Iheanacho has found himself on the fringes of the national team setup. He was omitted from Nigeria’s squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, only to work his way back in a year later.
But this time feels different. The competition for places is fiercer, and the Middlesbrough move, while understandable from a playing-time perspective has arguably weakened his international standing.
Iheanacho has given Nigerian football some unforgettable moments, but football is ruthless. If the Super Eagles are serious about moving forward, they must make tough calls. Dropping Senorman is one of them.
