Rising star Kelechi Iheanacho in his first major interview since bursting into the big scene revealed that he came from a poor background and had to work hard to get to the level he is currently .

The 19-year-old has flourished in this season’s FA Cup, scoring at Norwich in the third round before a hat-trick against Aston Villa in the fourth . Iheanacho has scored nine goals already in his debut year for Manchester City .


The Imo state born Nigerian forward said he had to pay 50 naira to watch the biggest stars play in the Premier League .And sometimes when he couldn't even afford the money , he would sneak in for the second half and pay half of the money .

‘We didn’t have the money,’ he says. ‘Maybe after the game I’d hear the scores and all that. I’d be at home playing football and my friends would come back after being there to tell me. We didn’t have a television at home.’

Sometimes I watched the Spanish league — it was a bit cheaper, maybe 30 naira,’ he adds. ‘But the Premier League was 50. Sometimes I’d watch the Premier League if I found the money, or I’d go there and beg them to let me in. Or sneak in for the second half and pay half the money.I support Barcelona because I watched the Spanish league. I saw Yaya [Toure] playing for Barcelona... and now I’m playing with him. It’s a dream come true. I have to be my own man but he is a big influence in Africa. He has done a lot in Africa and I hope to do that as well.’
Iheanacho was to sign for Porto early in his career but he has no regrets on turning his back on the Portuguese club when City came knocking two years ago. He said :

‘I wasn’t expecting that,’ he says. ‘I was working with the EDS [Elite Development Squad]. He said I was going with them to Australia in pre-season and after we came back I was in the first team. I was a bit surprised.You feel a bit nervous, these are great players. It’s important to listen.I’m happy playing with them now and they give me confidence to play, they encourage me a lot. That doesn’t mean I’ll disrespect them or feel I’m one of them now. I wouldn’t just do anything I liked — I’ve got to keep my head down, keep working hard.’


Iheanacho's mum Mercy who was a teacher passed away in 2013, a few months before his life-changing Under 17 World Cup, and her memory serves as a constant source of determination.



'It was hard for us when my mother left us,’ Iheanacho reflects, suddenly holding back tears. ‘We couldn’t do anything so I said to myself "move on and keep working hard".She makes me work harder. When I’m not doing something right, or when I’m not playing or working hard enough, then I remember her. She pushed me to work hard.'

‘There are jobs [back home] but football has always been with me. When I was growing up they didn’t want me to do it because my mother was a teacher — they wanted me to go to school. But I love football and wanted to play — they wanted to stop me but couldn’t.

‘They wouldn’t allow me to play out after school but I went out anyway. Maybe I lost a bit of focus on my studies .It’s amazing when you go back home now, when you remember how you were before. You go back home and all those people are calling your name, shouting. I get mobbed by the kids. They want to see you, want to know you.’

Good story from Iheanacho and I wish him the very best !

Source : http://www.kingebuka.com/2016/02/we-didnt-have-money-we-didnt-have-tv-at.html

cc : lalasticlala

The money is here now

God is great

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My only advice is not to forget your parents especially your mum. I am speaking from experience though. God bless you

this one is 19, make I break

missdebs:
this one is 19, make I break

why don't you believe he is?

missdebs:
this one is 19, make I break

why don't you believe he is?

gunuvi:
My only advice is not to forget your parents especially your mum. I am speaking from experience though. God bless you

I guess you didn't read the poster

sonofthunder:

I guess you didn't read the poster

I read it but many will come out after fame and say a lot and appreciate their parent in public but yet will not take care of them.

gunuvi:

I read it but many will come out after fame and say a lot and appreciate their parent in public but yet will not take care of them.

I get you

. We thank God for his story abi lalasticlala

Good sh*t. Hope he only goes higher and higher till he gets lost in space