"IHEANACHO ISN'T READY FOR WORLD CUP" - Keshi

Stephen Keshi, has declared that the chance of under-17 star, Kelechi Iheanacho making the 2014 Fifa World Cup squad to Brazil looks remote at the moment.

Keshi explained that winning the Fifa Under-17 World Cup and being named most valuable player of same tournament is not enough to win the Taye Academy attacking midfielder a place to the World Cup next year.

The Super Eagles manager added that "it should be recognised that the Under-17 tournament is a developmental phase for Kelechi and other players in that team."

Keshi also made it clear that the 17-year-old needs to play top flight football regularly to further hone his skills and prepare him for the rigours of international football at senior level. "He is a fantastic player and he has very good qualities to become one of the best footballers in the world from his performance at the Under-17 World Cup. But we need to ask if he is ready to play at the very highest level of football right now considering the weight of expectation that might follow such. It should be recognised that the Under-17 tournament is a developmental phase for. Kelechi and other players in that team.

"What he needs now is to start playing regularly for a team so that he remains in top shape as a footballer and continue to develop into top class footballer. As for considering him for the World Cup camp, that doesn't look real right now," Keshi said.

Recent reports credited to James Iheanacho, Kelechi's father revealed that Iheanacho senior feels that his son should be called up to the Super Eagles for the World Cup.

CULLED FROM supersport.com.