Manchester City wonder kid, Kelechi Iheanacho, has revealed that he could not afford a paltry sum of N50 to watch the Premiership games every weekend in Nigeria.
Speaking about the hardship as a youngster, the 19-year-old striker said: “We didn’t have the money.
“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.”
Iheanacho recalled that his family would use what little money they had on bread rather than luxuries like television.
“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 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.
With nine goals already under his belt in an excellent debut year, he is ready to lead the line for City at Stamford Bridge but has no recollection of ever seeing an FA Cup tie back home.
On his fast rising profile, Iheanacho said he was still in shock rubbing shoulders with top stars at the Etihad Stadium, adding he is yet to come to term with reality at the club.
“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.”
