Kelechi Iheanacho’s father used to beat him with a belt for playing football — but now he is his No1 fan. The Super Eagles striker, revealed his strict dad James was worried he would not make it as a footballer and warned him to concentrate on his studies instead.
But the disciplining subsided when Iheanacho’s school teacher visited their home in Obogwe to announce he had been selected for a regional tournament.
The Leicester striker said: “It is ironic my father is now my biggest fan. I got beat up by him whenever I stepped out to play football!“I was always on the receiving end of my father’s belt or whatever else he could find.
“Sometimes I laugh, but I guess it’s been written by God that my life would take such a route. He was only looking out for me.”
Mum Mercy was a lot more supportive but she passed away when Iheanacho was just a teenager.
Yet the star believes she will be cheering him on from heaven and has promised to dedicate all his World Cup goals to her.
He added: “It makes me sad that she is not with me in Russia. Death was unkind to me but life has given me a chance to make her proud.
“Sometimes you wish there was a way to send a message to heaven and remind her that I will forever cherish her support.
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