Kayode John
Sevilla head coach Garcia Pimenta has blamed Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho’s poor form on his lack of game time in this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Iheanacho, who joined Sevilla as a free agent during the summer transfer window, was an unused substitute against Benin Republic and Rwanda, with Nigeria defeating the Cheetahs 3-0 in Uyo and playing 0-0 draw against the Amavubi in Kigali.
The former Leicester City forward has struggled to make any impact at the Spanish club since his move. The 27-year-old has no goal involvement in four league matches he has featured in so far.
Speaking ahead of the club’s LaLiga fixture at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Pimenta pledged support for the Nigeria international.
“He has quality, but he came a month late, training individually. He is adapting. The two weeks with the national team, in which he did not play, did not do him any good,” he was quoted as saying on Friday by ondacero.
“We have to give him confidence. He is a quality footballer for everything he has done and sooner rather than later we have to see him at his best. He has the capacity and quality for it.”
Meanwhile, the coach hailed Chidera Ejuke, who scored their winning goal against Real Valladolid last Tuesday, becoming the club’s first Nigerian goalscorer.
“For me he is a top starter. He came on and did two very good things. That’s what he is there for, so that I have no doubts. I congratulate him from here and I hope he continues like this,” he stated.
Sevilla are 13th in the table in the Spanish top flight after seven matches this campaign.
