Former coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Manu Garba, has claimed that Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, ordered Kelechi Iheanacho to boycott the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.
Manu, who gave Iheanacho his breakthrough at the 2013 World Youth Championship, also said Guardiola has “betrayed” the 20-year-old.
“He (Iheanacho) pulled out of the Nigerian team to the last Olympics in Rio on the orders of Guardiola, who also made the club sign an extension with him. Fast forward June to this day and he can’t get into the team,” Manu told Owngoalnigeria.com.
“It’s normal for him to feel betrayed by the man, who made him sacrifice the chance to play at the Olympics with Nigeria. He is a good lad and will definitely prove people wrong in the future.”
Iheanacho has missed the last seven games for City, failing to make the match day squad on five occasions and was twice left on the bench by Guardiola.