The Coach of the national under-17 team, Manu Garba, has tipped Golden Eaglets midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho to “be one of the stars to watch” at the ongoing Fifa U-17 World Cup, tagged UAE 2013.

Iheanacho headlined Eaglets’ opening day drubbing of the defending champions Mexico, after hitting target four times in the match that ended 6-1 in favour of the Nigerians.

“I am not surprised that he was able to score four goals for us because he is a very good player and I have no doubt that he would be one of the stars to watch out for at this tournament,” coach Garba said while lauding Kelechi’s performance.

The four-goal hero revealed he had requested for two goals in his prayer and knew it was answered at the interval with Nigeria leading 2-1.

“Before the match, I specifically requested for two goals from God and after scoring the first two in the first-half, I never knew God has better plans for us,” Kelechi intimated.

“The glory of this victory belongs to all of us because it was a team effort and we are all looking forward to a good tournament.”

He dedicated the four strikes to the memory of his late mother, who passed on in February, as well as his younger brother, Chibuike, saying:

“Of course, I remember my mum before the start of the match, but there is nothing I can do about her death.

“I dedicate the goals to her memory as well as my younger brother Chibuike Iheanacho, who I believe would be a very great player in the future,” the teenage footballer added.

Source: Information Nigeria