Iheanacho a huge doubt for AFCON over muscle injury

Kelechi Iheanacho’s muscle injury has casts doubt over his participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, which starts January 13 in Cote D’Ivoire.

The Nigerian was not listed in Leicester City’s 2-0 win at Cardiff Friday evening and gaffer, Enzo Maresca gave an injury update on his striker after the game.

Maresca revealed after the game he had picked up an injury in the aftermath of the draw with Ipswich on Boxing Day. That news comes on the day that Iheanacho was named in Nigeria’s 27-man squad for Afcon that kicks off in two weeks’ time.

The striker’s injury is still being assessed, so the severity is not yet known. But if it’s serious, Maresca said he won’t be able to represent Nigeria at the tournament.

‘Kelechi has a muscle problem two days ago,’ Maresca said after the game at the Cardiff City Stadium. ‘We are still waiting to see if it’s something important or a matter of days. But I don’t think he will be able for the next one (against Huddersfield).

‘We don’t know yet (if it will affect his Afcon call-up). It depends on the injury. If it’s an important injury, he has no chance to go. If it’s not important, he can go.’

A muscle strain, according to expert, is an injury to a muscle or a tendon — the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Minor injuries may only overstretch a muscle or tendon, while more severe injuries may involve partial or complete tears in these tissues.

For most with grade I muscle strains, healing time takes about 2-4 weeks. You can typically expect a full recovery in about 2 months for those with a grade II strain. If you experience a grade III strain, healing time depends on the type of surgery you receive and could take anywhere from 6 to 9 months or longer.

Iheanacho scored Nigeria’s opening goal at the last AFCON in 2021 against Egypt and has been scored thrice and bagged two assists in his last five games across all competitions for Nigeria.